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Household Benefits Package

What is the Household Benefits Package (HBP)?

The Household Benefits Package (HBP) is a scheme designed to provide financial assistance to cover the costs of household utility bills, such as electricity and gas, and also includes the television licence fee. The package is available to those living in Ireland who meet certain criteria.

Available to:

  • All individuals aged 70 or over, regardless of income or pension status.
  • Individuals aged between 66 and 70 who meet additional conditions.
  • Individuals under 66 who receive Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, or Carer's Allowance (if they are living with the person they are caring for)

    • How to qualify for Household Benefits Package (HBP):

    To qualify, you must:

  • Live in Ireland full-time, all year round.
  • Be named on the electricity or gas bill.
  • Be the only person in the household receiving the HBP.
  • Be aged 70 or over, or between 66 and 70 and meet further conditions.

    • If you are between age 66 and 70 or under 70, you may qualify, if you are in receipt of one of the following qualifying payments and your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is an Increase for a Qualified Adult on your qualifying payment:

  • State Pension (Contributory) (SPC1)
  • State Pension (Non-Contributory) (SPNC1)
  • Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension (WCP1)
  • Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension (WP1)
  • Deserted Wife's Benefit (stopped in 1997)
  • An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice and Equality
  • Social Security Pension/Benefit covered by EU laws or from a country with which Ireland has a Social Security Agreement
  • Incapacity Supplement (OB21) (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Benefit (OB21)

    • If you are under 66 and receive:

  • Disability Allowance
  • Invalidity Pension
  • Blind Pension or
  • Carer's Allowance (if they are living with the person they are caring for)

    • Tenants:

    If you are a tenant in a rented property, your landlord must provide written confirmation that you are a tenant and the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) or Gas Point Reference Number (GPRN) of your address. They must also confirm that you are paying your own energy bills.

    Rates of Payment:

    The rate of payment for your electricity or gas bill under the HBP is €1.15 per day, paid monthly. Upon qualification for the HBP, you also receive a free Television Licence from its next renewal date. To receive your HBP payment as a credit on your electricity or gas bill, you must provide a bill showing that you are the registered bill payer for the address for which you are applying.

    How to Apply:

    Please return your completed application form and relevant supporting documents to:

    Household Benefits Package Section

    Address: Department of Social Protection,
    College Road,
    Sligo,
    Co. Sligo,
    F91 T384

    Email: householdbenefits@welfare.ie
    Phone number: 0818 200 400 or +353 719 157 100

    Household Benefits Package (HB1)