Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Household Benefits Package (HBP) comprises of the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household.

- For those aged 70 or over, the HBP is not means tested and there is no requirement to be getting a qualifying payment.

- For those aged 66 years or over, the HBP may be payable to those who are getting a social welfare payment, or who satisfy a means test.

- The HBP is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are getting certain qualifying social welfare payments.

The majority of those who qualify for the HBP do so as a result of being awarded a primary qualifying payment. When a primary qualifying payment is awarded to a customer, the award letter informs them of their possible entitlement to the HBP. For those who may qualify for the HBP without being in receipt of a qualifying payment, information is widely available; for example, online through the Government and Citizens Information websites and through the network of my Department's offices, and the Citizens Information Centres.

In relation to backdating of HBP applications, payments may be backdated for up to 6 months where an entitlement existed, and further where there are extenuating circumstances. It is open to customers to make an application for backdating of their entitlement. Each case will be considered individually. However, lack of knowledge in and of itself is not a circumstance where backdating beyond 6 months can be considered.

In the case of the person concerned and her spouse, both were written to by my Department in advance of their 66th birthdays, to advise them to apply for State Pension Contributory (SPC). In each of these letters, they were also advised that they could also make an application for the HBP. In addition, when the person concerned and her spouse were awarded their SPC payments in 2020 and 2019 respectively, the SPC award letters also included information on the availability of the HBP and where to get further information.

The Department has no record of an application form for HBP being received from the person concerned. An application form for HBP was received from their spouse on 27th March 2023. The spouse concerned was awarded HBP with effect from 27/9/2022, which included a 6 month backdate. In June 2023, it is also recorded that an officer of my Department spoke with this customer to advise him that he would not have had an entitlement to the HBP when he was 66 in 2019, as his spouse was still in employment.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.