How Much Is The Household Benefits Package?
The household benefits package is €35 per month for gas or electricity bills along with a free TV licence worth €160. To apply for the Household Benefits Package, apply online through your MyGov.ie account, or by post. You need to print out the HB1 form, fill it out and return it signed to the Department of Social Protection. You can phone the department at 0818 200 400.
What Is the Household Benefits Package?
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) is a package of allowances which help with the costs of running your home.
You must be fully resident in the Republic of Ireland to receive this allowance, and only one member of a household can qualify for Household Benefits.
There are two allowances available:
- Electricity or Gas Allowance
- TV Licence Allowance
Can I Get the Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits Package?
Yes. Provided you meet the requirements for the Fuel Allowance, you can receive it along with your Household Benefits Package.
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How Do You Qualify For The Household Benefits Package?
There are different categories under which people can qualify for the Household Benefits package (for permanent and legal residents only).
To know how to qualify for the household benefits package, we have divided the eligibility criteria into three categories.
In all three cases, applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- Must reside in Ireland full-time.
- Only one person in the household can receive the Household Benefits Package at any given moment.
- For the gas or electricity allowance, the bills must be in your name.
Besides these requirements, applicants who are under 70 must be in receipt of a qualifying social payment to apply.
We have summerised the qualifying payments in the table below:
| Age | Qualifying Social Payments |
|---|---|
| Over 70 | Automatic qualification, with no means test or qualifying payment required. |
| 66-70 |
|
| Under 66 |
|
Widowed People or Surviving Civil Partners
You can qualify for the Household Benefits Package, if you are widowed or a surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 and your late spouse or civil partner was getting the Household Benefit Package before their death.
To qualify you must have lived together when the Household Benefit Package was first awarded and you must be getting one of the following payments:
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory) Pension
- One-Parent Family Payment (Widows/Widowers)
- 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
- An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice
If you were under 60 when your spouse or civil partner died, you can get the Household Benefits Package when you turn 60 if you meet these conditions.
Is the Household Benefits Package Means Tested?
As of 2025, the means test for those aged 66 to 70 who are not receiving a qualifying payment is based on your total household income.
The weekly income threshold is set at the current top rate of the Contributory State Pension plus €200.
For 2025, this means your weekly income must be below €589.30 for a single person.
Income From Renting a Room in Your Home
People who rent out a room in their home, not a second property, are able to receive up to €269.23 per week which is not assessed as part of the means test. This person must not be an immediate family member or an employee, and must reside in the room at least 28 days of the year.
Were There Changes to the Household Benefits Package in Budget 2025?
Budget 2025 included several financial packages to help vulnerable customers with home heating and energy costs by introducing several key measures and financial supports that are important to anyone receiving or considering applying for the Household Benefits Package.
While the core allowance of €35 per month remains unchanged, these related benefits can significantly impact your overall household budget.
Here’s a summary of the most important changes and their start dates:
- Carer's Allowance Becomes a Qualifying Payment for Fuel Allowance: From January 2025, if you are a recipient of Carer’s Allowance, you will now be a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance scheme, provided you meet the other criteria of the means test.
- Carer's Allowance Income Disregard Increased: A significant change for carers is the increase to the weekly income disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means test. From August 2025, this disregard will rise to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. This means more carers will qualify for the allowance or receive a higher rate of payment.
- New One-Off Payments: While not part of the HBP, the budget also provided once-off payments to help with the cost of living. These include a €300 lump sum for all households receiving the Fuel Allowance and a €400 lump sum for recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, and Domiciliary Care Allowance.
How To Apply For the Household Benefits Package?
You can apply online using MyWelfare.ie if you have a MyGovID account.
Alternatively, you can apply by post.
First print the HB1 form, fill it out and return it signed to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
To fill out the Household benefits package form, you'll need to hand in the following details:
- Your contact and address details.
- Your PPS number and the numbers of anyone else who lives with you.
- A copy of your GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) card, where applicable.
- Your MPRN and or GPRN numbers (these are your electricity or gas meter numbers).
- Your television licence number.
- Details of the financial institution (BIC and IBAN), or post office of your choosing.
Household Benefits Package Form
To apply for the Household Benefits Package, it's necessary to fill out a HB1 form and return it to the Department of Social Protection. Click here to download the form.
How Much Is The Household Benefits Package?
The two allowances in the Household Benefits Package offer qualifying people monthly assistance with their electricity or gas, and tv licence:
- Allowance 1: €35 per month for electricity OR gas.
- Allowance 2: Free TV licence.
How Do I Receive the Electricity Allowance?
If you’re with Electric Ireland or Bord Gáis you have the option of having your electricity allowance paid directly to these suppliers as a monthly credit against your utility bill.
If you’re with any other energy provider, the household benefits allowance will be deposited into your bank or post office account which you provide details for on your application form.
Users with a Pay-as-you-go meter can only receive payments with this option.
How Do I Receive the Gas Allowance?
Should you prefer to use your household benefits package towards your gas bill, it works the same as with the electricity allowance.
You can choose to have your gas allowance either be put into your bank account directly each month, or paid as a monthly credit against your Bord Gáis Energy or Electric Ireland gas bill.
Again here, if you are renting a property, your landlord will need to provide written confirmation that you are paying the gas bill.
It is important to note that the gas allowance under the household benefits package only applies to natural gas. Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Heating Oil (kerosene) delivery do not qualify as eligible bills under this government scheme.
How Do I Receive The TV Licence Allowance?
If you qualify for the household benefits package and would like to apply for the free TV licence, you can apply using the same household benefits package form which is used for the gas or electricity allowance (just make sure to tick the TV licence box).
You will then be eligible for a free TV licence from the date of your next renewal and An Post will be contacted and informed of this by the Department of Welfare.
If your circumstances change and you are no longer entitled to the Household Benefits Package, you will lose your right to a free license and will need to start paying for one again at the next date of renewal.
What Is The Number for Household Benefits Package?
The department of Social Protection is contactable by phone, email and post.
In the table below, you'll find the main contact details for the department.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 0818 200 400 or (071) 915 7100 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. |
| [email protected] | |
| Post | Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (Household Benefits Package section) Social Welfare Services College Road Sligo Ireland |
SEAI Grants
There are also a number of SEAI grants that can help with reducing home energy bills such as the Windows and Doors grant and Warmer Homes Scheme.
How Can I Maximise My Savings with the Household Benefits Package?
For many households in Ireland, the Household Benefits Package is a vital support, offering a welcome €35 monthly credit toward electricity or gas bills.
However, in the face of persistently high electricity costs, it's crucial to look beyond the HBP to find all available savings.
Here at Selectra, our mission is to empower you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your household budget.
The HBP is a great start, but combining it with other government schemes, grants, and smart habits can lead to even bigger savings and a reduction on your average electricity bill.
The Power of Switching: How to Get the Best Price
The single most effective way to lower your energy bills is to ensure you are on the best possible tariff. While the HBP provides a fixed monthly allowance, your unit rate—the price you pay for each unit of electricity or gas—can vary significantly between suppliers.
- Compare Tariffs Annually: Many introductory discounts expire after 12 months. We recommend comparing electricity tariffs at least once a year to ensure you are not overpaying.
- The HBP and Switching: If you are receiving your HBP allowance as a direct credit to your bill, you can still switch providers. When you do, be sure to inform the Department of Social Protection, and they will arrange for your allowance to be paid directly into your bank account each month.
Leveraging Government Support Beyond the HBP
The Household Benefits Package is just one part of a wider network of government support designed to help with energy costs. By checking your eligibility for these additional schemes, you can further reduce your financial pressure.
- Fuel Allowance: This is a separate, means-tested payment to help with heating costs during the winter months. You can receive this in addition to the HBP. The recent changes announced in Budget 2025 also mean that if you are a recipient of Carer’s Allowance, you may now qualify for the Fuel Allowance.
- Energy Credits: As announced in Budget 2025, there was a government electricity credit worth €250, paid in two instalments of €125. These are paid automatically to all domestic electricity customers. Keep an eye out for any future announcements on similar schemes.
- Household Budget Scheme: This is a useful scheme that allows a fixed amount to be deducted directly from your social welfare payment to pay for your household bills, providing peace of mind and helping you budget effectively.
Saving Energy Through Efficiency
While allowances and credits help with the cost, reducing the amount of energy you use is the best long-term strategy for keeping bills low.
- SEAI Grants: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers various grants to help with energy upgrades, from insulating your home to installing a heat pump. These grants can significantly reduce your energy consumption and, in turn, your bills. Our guide provides more information on schemes like the Warmer Homes Scheme and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
- Daily Habits: Simple changes around the home can make a big difference. For example, ensuring your fridge and freezer are defrosted and not placed next to the oven, using a clothes rack instead of a tumble dryer, and turning off "phantom load" appliances at the socket can all lead to noticeable savings over the year.
Household Benefits Package FAQ's
What to Do When Switching Energy Suppliers?
If you change energy suppliers and you are receiving the household benefits package, it’s important to let the department of welfare know of the change as soon as possible.
You will have to provide them with proof of your new supplier (e.g. with a bill dating from the time you changed supplier) to not miss out on any payments.
At the moment only customers with Bord Gáis Energy and Electric Ireland can have their allowance applied directly to their bill.
Claimants who switch to any other provider will need to contact the department of welfare as soon as possible to provide them with details of the account where they would like to receive the payment instead.
What If I Change Address?
If you change address, your allowance will not be automatically transferred to your new accommodation, you will need to reapply to continue receiving benefits.
You'll again need to fill out the household benefits package form and post it to the Department of Welfare.
What If the Electricity Bill Is in the Landlord's Name?
If you’re living in a flat or an apartment you share with your landlord, you can still qualify for the electricity allowance. However, your landlord will have to confirm in writing that you are paying your electricity bills as a tenant of the shared property.
Can the Household Benefits Package Be Backdated?
The Household Benefits Package can be backdated in some cases. Further backdating beyond the set time will be allowed only if:
- The reason you didn’t apply resulted from incorrect information being supplied by the Department of Social Protection,
- The delay was due to your incapacity.
What If I Use a Pay-as-you-go Meter?
If you have a pay-as-you-go (prepayment) meter for your electricity or gas, you can still receive the allowance. The monthly payment of €35 will be deposited directly into the bank or post office account you provided on your application form.
Can I Apply if I am an EU Citizen?
Yes. If you have moved to Ireland from another EU country, or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, you can apply for the Household Benefits Package. You must be receiving an equivalent social security payment from your home country, and you will need to provide the necessary documentation (such as an E-form) to prove this as part of your application.