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Pensions and +65s

Fuel Allowance

What is Fuel Allowance?

Fuel Allowance is a benefit provided by the Irish government to help households with the cost of heating during the colder winter months. This allowance is particularly aimed at those aged 70 or over and individuals receiving long-term social welfare payments.

How to qualify for Fuel Allowance:

To qualify you must meet certain criteria

  • If you're aged 70 or over, you may qualify without needing to receive a qualifying social welfare payment. However, you must be legally resident in Ireland, pass a means test, and live alone or only with other qualified people.
  • If you're under 70 and receiving a social welfare payment based on your social insurance record, you need to pass a means test and meet all other required conditions.

    • You could qualify for a Fuel Allowance if you're receiving certain types of social welfare payments such as:

  • Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance
  • Blind Pension
  • Death Benefit Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
  • Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
  • Disability Allowance
  • Farm Assist
  • Guardian's Payment
  • Disability Allowance
  • Invalidity Pension
  • Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • One-Parent Family Payment
  • Revenue Job Assist
  • Social Security Payment (of which there is an Irish equivalent payment) from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
  • State Pension Contributory or Non-contributory
  • Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension

    • Living Situation

    Your living situation also affects your eligibility. You may qualify if you live alone or with:

  • A person aged 70 years or over
  • A dependent adult or dependent child
  • A person who is getting a qualifying payment but isn't receiving Fuel Allowance
  • A person who is getting Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and is caring for you or for your dependent adult or dependent child
  • A person getting short-term Jobseeker's Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance
  • A person who gets half-rate Carer’s Allowance as well as an increase for a dependent adult

    • Rates of Payment:

    The weekly rate of payment is currently €33 during the Fuel Allowance season, which usually runs from late September to April. Some recipients can choose to get their Fuel Allowance paid in two lump sums.

    How to Apply:

    Applications should be made before the start of the Fuel Allowance season in late September.There's no need to reapply each year as long as your circumstances don't change and you continue to receive the same social welfare payment.

  • If you are aged 70 or over complete the Fuel Allowance Scheme (NFS2 - O/70) and send to:

    • Fuel Allowance Section

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

    Email: NationalFuelscheme@welfare.ie
    Phone number: 071 9157100 or 0818 200400

  • If you are under 70 complete the Fuel Allowance Scheme Application Form (NFS1). You should send the completed form to the section of the department which you are getting your payment from.

    • If you are receiving:

  • Death Benefit
  • Disability Allowance
  • Incapacity Supplement
  • Invalidity Pension

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

    Social Welfare Services Office (Longford)

    Address: Department of Social Protection,
    Government Buildings,
    Ballinalee Road,
    Co Longford,
    N39 E4E0

    Phone number: (043) 334 0000


    If you are receiving:

  • Blind Pension
  • Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
  • Guardian's Payment (Contributory)
  • Guardian's Payment (Non-contributory)
  • Social Security Payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.
  • State Pension (Contributory or Non-contributory)
  • Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
  • Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-contributory) Pension

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

    Social Welfare Services (Sligo)

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

    Email: NationalFuelscheme@welfare.ie
    Phone number: 071 9157100 or 0818 200400

    If you are receiving:

  • Farm Assist
  • Long-term Jobseeker's Allowance (12 months)
  • One-Parent Family Payment or
  • Jobseeker's Transitional Payment

    • Please return your completed application form and relevant supporting documents to your local Intreo Centre.

    If you are receiving

  • Long-term Supplementary Welfare Allowance (12 months):

    • Please return your completed application form and relevant supporting documents to your local Intreo Centre.

    Change of Circumstances:

    You should contact the department as soon as possible to ensure you still qualify for the Fuel Allowance

    Change the Payment Frequency of Fuel Allowance (FA CPF1)