When Is The Fuel Allowance 2024/2025 Start Date?
The fuel allowance for 2024/2025 began in September 2024 and runs until April 2025 at a rate of €33 per week. To be eligible for the fuel allowance, you must meet certain criteria as laid out by the Department of Social Protection. You can apply for the Fuel Allowance online by using your MyGovID account.
What Are the Payment Dates for the 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance
The 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance began on Monday, 23rd of September 2024 and will run for 28 weeks until Friday, 4th of May 2025.
Weekly payments are made on the same day as you collect your social welfare payment or pension.
The fuel allowance in Ireland is set at €33 per week for a total of 28 weeks in total, recipients will receive a total of €924. It can be paid to you in 2 instalments of €462, in September 2024 and January 2025.
What Is the Fuel Allowance?
The Fuel Allowance is a payment scheme that aims to help people in vulnerable situations in Ireland pay for heating during the winter months. The figure is set by the government annually as part of the national budget.
It’s paid on a per household basis, so only one member of a household can receive it, and it is usually paid weekly or in instalments.
The Fuel Allowance should not be confused for the Free Electricity Allowance, which is part of the household benefits package and designed to help with electricity bills for those aged over 70.
How Much Is the Fuel Allowance for 2024/2025?
The Fuel Allowance in Ireland can be received in two different ways:
- Paid as a weekly €33 payment during the fuel season (typically from September to May for 28 weeks).
- Two fuel allowance lump-sum payments, which are typically paid in September and January.
The Fuel Allowance works out at €462 whether you decide to receive it weekly, or as two lump sums.
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How Do I Qualify for the Fuel Allowance 2024/2025?
There are conditions you need to meet when checking to see if you’re eligible for the Fuel Allowance in Ireland.
You must be eligible in each category in order to apply.
You will need to be:
- You are aged 70 or over, or aged 66 or over from 1 January 2025, and satisfy a means test
- You are under the age of 70, or under the age of 66 from 1 January 2025, and are receiving a qualifying social welfare payment and satisfy a means test
What Are the Qualifying Social Welfare Payments for the Fuel Allowance?
Secondly, you will need to be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits in order to be eligible for the Fuel Allowance:
- State pension
- Widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension
- Incapacity supplement
- Blind pension
- Invalidity pension
- Disability allowance
- Deserted wife’s allowance
- One-parent family payment
- Guardian’s payment
- Farm assist
- Pre-retirement allowance
- Basic supplementary welfare allowance (for more than 455 days)
- Jobseekers allowance (for more than 390 days)
- Jobseekers transitional payment
- Death benefit (under the occupational injuries scheme)
- Carer's Allowance (from January 2025)
Do I Need To Live Alone for the Fuel Allowance?
The first consideration for eligibility is your living situation. You must either be living alone or with one of the following:
- Dependents
Dependent occupants such as a spouse, civil partner, or children. - Other Qualifiers
Other occupants who would also qualify for the Fuel Allowance in Ireland. - Carer’s Benefit Recipient
A person who is receiving the carer’s benefit and caring for you or your dependants full-time. - Jobseeker’s Allowance Recipient
A person receiving the jobseeker’s allowance or the basic supplementary welfare allowance.
How Is My Income Assessed for the Fuel Allowance Means?
Finally, in order to receive the Fuel Allowance, you need to pass the means test to show that your income is below the threshold in order to receive help.
This means that your weekly income (before taxes) needs to be below a certain amount before you can receive the Fuel Allowance.
The amount of money you have also extends to your wealth:
Income Limits
If you’re under 66, your income can’t be over the rate for State Pension plus another €200. This is called the assessable income limit, which is €489.30 a week for a single person or €682 for a couple.If you’re over 66, you can have an income of up to €524 a week, or €1,048 per week for a couple.
Capital
If you are under 66, the first €20,000 of your investments, savings, property, or shares are not taken into account.If you’re over 66, this is the first €50,000.
One Fuel Allowance Payment per Household
Even if two or more people in a home qualify for the Fuel Allowance, only one person can claim it.
How Do I Apply for the Fuel Allowance 2024/2025?
You can apply for the Fuel Allowance online by using your MyGovID account.
If you prefer to apply by post, you must fill out one of the two following documents.
- If you are aged under 66, fill in the NFS1 form
- If you are over 66, fill in the NFS2 form.
You can either print this document yourself or pick it up from any post office.
Check where to send your form at Gov.ie.
You can request that the allowance go directly into your bank, credit union or building society or collect it from the post office, along with any social welfare payments.
To change your Fuel Allowance to a weekly, or lump sum payment, you can:
- Complete a FA CPF 1 form online.
- Collect a form from your local post office, Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch.
If you opt for a lump sum after the first payment has been made, you’ll continue to get weekly payments until the next lump sum is due.
Can the Fuel Allowance Be Backdated?
If you apply for the Fuel Allowance at the start of the season, September, it will not be backdated, but you will receive the payment for January. With this in mind, it is important to apply before the season starts to ensure that you receive the full payment.
Read More About Grants and Schemes Available in Ireland
- See what SEAI Grants are available to help upgrade your home.
- Learn about the Disability Allowance and how to apply.
- Looking to upgrade your windows and doors this winter? Our guide will help you see if you qualify.
- Learn more about energy saving, lowering your home energy costs and how to have a more positive impact on the environment.
- How to Apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
- What is the Household Budget Scheme?