Get relief from the cold, dark days ahead
There’s plenty in the budget to help you defy bad weather and rising prices
Our Indian summer ended spectacularly this week as Storm Babet roared in and boilers cranked up once more to winter levels, while the crisis in the Middle East saw energy costs spike, with oil now heading for $100 a barrel again. Meanwhile, new carbon taxes snuck in under most people’s radar adding more than 2c a litre to fuel costs.
All this means we face higher bills than ever this winter – and with less help from Government.
However, last week’s budget did bring in other reliefs to help us get through the looming storm.
Here’s what’s on offer – and how and when you can get it.
ENERGY CREDITS
This week we found out exactly when three energy credits will be paid this winter to all households.
They amount to €150 each time – making a total payout of €450. That’s €150 lower than last year’s total.
The first sum will be paid automatically on your electricity bill after December 1, depending on when your next billing date is over the following two months.
For example, if your bill is due on December 2, then you’ll get a credit on your bill then. But if you don’t have a bill due until the end of January, you’ll have to wait until then.
Credits are applied to a Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN). However, there are two significant changes proposed this year to help ensure that the credits get to the right households.
Previously, households whose electricity was supplied through ‘sub-meters’ were not eligible to get the credit.
This situation occurs where a building has been sub-divided for the purposes of accommodating additional people. To address this, the Government will establish a Sub-meter Support Scheme, working directly with electricity suppliers to ensure sub-meter households receive the same support as everyone else.
Vacant houses with extremely low or no electricity usage may also be excluded from the scheme from now on.
But an account that is registered as a vulnerable customer, has a hardship meter installed or has low usage due to microgeneration will not have their payment withheld.
SOCIAL WELFARE PAYMENTS
A range of onceoff social welfare payments are on the way as outlined in our table. The most extensive of these is the Christmas bonus and the January cost-of-living payment which will apply to 1.3 million people, including pensioners.
A double child benefit payment in December for 1.2 million children will help more than 600,000 families through Christmas.
FUEL ALLOWANCE
The fuel allowance was already worth nearly €1,000 a year – and this year it gets a further €300 boost. If you qualify for it, you may also qualify for other benefits such as a free energy upgrade for your home worth €30,000 on average.
It applies to over 400,000 households, mainly the over-70s. But many people are unaware that the qualifying rules have been greatly relaxed from this year.
Basically, you can earn up to €50,000 per couple and have as much as €50,000 per person in the bank disregarded for the means test, so many more people really should be applying for this valuable benefit.
ENERGY ENGAGE CODE
If you can’t pay your energy bills, you can at least avoid being cut off thanks to the Energy Engage Code.
Energy suppliers who sign up to the code commit never to disconnect an engaging customer.
These are: Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy, Prepay Power, SSE Airtricity and Yuno Energy.
The Energy Engage Code can be downloaded from eaireland.com
FLOOD RELIEF
If your home is damaged by flooding or severe weather, you may qualify for financial help through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
‘I’m very conscious that Storm Babet is causing severe flooding and disruption. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is open and support is available,’ announced Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys this week.
Those affected can contact the
Community Welfare Service on 0818 60 70 80.
There are three stages:
1. Emergency income support payments (food/clothing/ personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event
2. Replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items
3. Longer term financial support, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting
Payments depend on the severity of damage and the household’s ability to meet these costs, ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted.
It is more generous than other
means-tested social welfare payments. People with average levels of income can qualify for assistance, even if you’re not on
social welfare.
The scheme does not cover risks that are already covered by insurance policies.