How Do I Apply for the Free Electricity Allowance?
The Free Electricity Allowance is set at €35 per month or €1.15 per day. To apply, visit MyWelfare.ie to apply online through your MyGovID account. You can contact The Department of Social Protection on 0818 200 400 for any queries you have in relation to your application.
What Is The Free Electricity Allowance?
The Free Electricity Allowance, part of the Household Benefits Package, provides a €35 monthly allowance to assist eligible individuals with their electricity or gas costs.
Those aged 70 or over automatically qualify, but the scheme also extends to certain individuals under 70 who meet specific social welfare criteria.
This allowance can be applied as a credit to energy bills or received as a cash payment, offering a valuable support for managing household energy expenses.
Who Qualifies for the Free Electricity Allowance?
Anyone over the age of 70 is automatically eligible for the Free Electricity Allowance.
If you’re older than 70, you must also:
- Live legally and permanently in Ireland.
- Be the only person in their household who applies for and receives the allowance.
- Be the person whose name is registered on the electricity bill.
You can apply for the Free Electricity Allowance at any time of the year.
Can I Apply for the Free Electricity Allowance if I Am Under 70?
If you’re under 70, you can still apply for the Free Electricity Allowance, however the requirements depend on whether you’re between the ages of 66-70 or under 66.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to apply:
Under 70s Free Electricity Allowance Requirements
If You’re Between 66 and 70 Years of Age
Applicants between 66 and 70 years old can qualify for the Free Electricity Allowance if they receive one of the following:
- State Pension
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice and Equality
- Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations
- Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
If You’re Under 66 Years of Age
Applicants under 66 must be receiving at least one of the following in order to get the Free Electricity Allowance:
- Disability Allowance
- Invalidity Pension
- Blind Pension
- Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
Widowed People or Surviving Civil Partners
If you are widowed or a surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 and your late spouse or civil partner was getting the Free Electricity Allowance before their death, you can still qualify.
To qualify, you must have lived together when the Free Electricity Allowance was first awarded and be in receipt of one of the following payments:
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory) Pension
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
- Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice
Free Electricity Allowance Means Test
If you are not in receipt of any social welfare payment and under 70 but still want to apply for the Free Electricity Allowance, you can request to be means tested as part of your application. This will see if your personal situation qualifies you.
How Do I Apply for the Free Electricity Allowance?
The easiest and most convenient way to apply for the Free Electricity Allowance is to go online to MyWelfare.ie and use your MyGovID account.
- ⚡ How To Apply: Free Electricity Allowance
- Visit MyWelfare.ie.
- Click on the Health, Disability, and Illness tab.
- Following this, click on the Household Benefits tab.
- Select 'Apply Now'.
- Login using your email address and password.
- Fill in the online application form.
- You will receive an email confirming your application.
You will need to answer questions about your:
- Living Situation
If you care for the person you live with, you will need to provide their PPS Number. - Relationship Details
This includes your status and your partner's PPS Number (if applicable) - Electricity/Gas and TV Licence Details
This includes your energy supplier and either your electricity MPRN or gas GPRN number and your TV licence reference number. - Payment Details
Details of either the bank account into which you would like to receive the allowance or the post office for collection.
If you do not wish to apply online, you can also download the application and apply by post.
You can then send it to the following address:
Household Benefits Section
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Services
College Road
Sligo
How Much Is the Free Electricity Allowance?
The Free Electricity Allowance is set at €35 per month or €1.15 per day.
Payment can be made directly to your bank account or collected in person on the first Tuesday of each month at your local post office.
Your name does not need to be on the bill if the payment is in cash to facilitate those collecting the payment on behalf of others.
If you are an Electric Ireland customer, you can have their allowance paid as credit directly on your bill as long as it is in your name. The department will contact the supplier on your behalf to arrange the payment.&
The allowance will be automatically deducted from your electricity bill and will appear as a credit of -€1.15 per day.
To read more about other government schemes and programmes that could help you with your household bills, visit our schemes and grants guides.
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Is There A Free Gas Allowance?
As part of the Household Benefits Package, you can also apply for a free natural gas allowance. The rate is the same as the free electricity allowance at €35 per month or €1.15 per day.
The allowance does not cover the cost of installing a natural gas supply to your home, the allowance is designed to assist with energy bills, not home upgrades.
If you are a Bord Gais customers can have your payment applied directly as credit on your bill.
Can I Receive a Free Electricity and Gas Allowance?
You can only apply for a free electricity allowance OR a free gas allowance. You CANNOT receive both so make sure you consider which will be more of a benefit to you and your personal circumstances.
Free Electricity Allowance FAQs
What Happens if I Switch Energy Provider?
If you switch energy provider, then you must inform the Department of Social Protection and provide proof of the switch and the date it occurs. Any remaining allowance will be carried over to the new supplier.
What if I Don’t Use All of My Allowance?
If you don’t use all of your monthly allowance, it will be carried forward to your next bill. This may happen during the summer months when energy bills are often lower.
Can I Receive the Allowance if I am Renting?
You can still receive the allowance if you are in rented accommodation, provided you meet the requirements.. However, you must be living in self-contained accommodation and your landlord will need to confirm, in writing, that you are a tenant and paying your own energy bills.
What if I Receive the Full-Time Carer’s Allowance?
Any Irish resident who receives the Full-Time Carer’s Allowance and lives with the person they care for may apply for the Free Electricity Allowance. This includes occupants who qualify as priority vulnerable customers.
Is the Living Alone Allowance the Same as the Free Electricity Allowance?
No, these are two completely different schemes. The living alone allowance is for citizens already on social welfare and gives a €3 a month increase in the monthly allowance received.
Is the Free Electricity Allowance the Same as the Fuel Allowance?
No. Anyone over the age of 70 is eligible for the Free Electricity Allowance, while the Fuel Allowance is paid to those already in receipt of a social welfare payment and are living alone.
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