Applying for winter Fuel Allowance

CLLR Dara Mulvey has encouraged older people around the county to apply for the Fuel Allowance this autumn.

“The Fuel Allowance scheme is designed to assist pensioners and other very low income households to meet the cost of their heating needs during the winter season,” he said.

“I encourage older people and people in receipt of social welfare to apply for the allowance. They can fill in the form in their local Post Office, or find it online at www. welfare. ie. The Fuel Allowance is means tested and is paid to the customer with their social welfare payment at a rate of € 22.50 per week.

“People on an employment scheme or in receipt of a Back to Education Allowance would also be entitled to the Fuel Allowance. “In order to qualify for the Fuel Allowance the claimant must be resident in the State, must be in receipt of certain qualifying payments, must live alone or only with: a qualified spouse/ civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child( ren); a person in receipt of a qualifying payment who would be entitled to the allowance in their own right; a person who is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit who is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant; a person receiving short term Jobseeker’s Allowance or the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance. “As Cathoirleach of the Ballymote- Tubbercurry Municipal District I am working to ensure that people who need it most, can benefit from the recovery in our economy. All those who qualify for the Fuel Allowance should apply,” he said.