End of Fuel Allowance Payments Set for April 2025
Over 400,000 households to receive their final €33 weekly payments or lump sums as government announces new adjustments in Budget 2025.
Over 400,000 households currently benefit from the Fuel Allowance scheme designed to assist with heating costs during the winter months.
The scheme operates for 28 weeks annually, from September to April, distributing payments either weekly at €33 or in two lump sum payments of €462 each.
The first lump sum was issued in September 2024, with the second scheduled for January 2025.
Households receiving the €33 weekly instalments will receive their last payment for the 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance season on April 4, 2025.
An additional €300 Fuel Allowance lump sum was introduced by the Government in Budget 2025 as part of their cost of living relief plan.
The Budget 2025 also announced that starting January, the Fuel Allowance means test disregard for individuals aged 66 and over would be €524 for singles and €1,048 for couples.
Furthermore, the Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance from the following month.
Eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance include living alone, receiving a qualifying payment (unless aged 70 or over), passing a means test, and residing in Ireland.
Fuel Allowance is not applicable where accommodation includes covered heating costs.
Applicants can still qualify for Fuel Allowance if cohabiting with a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant eligible for pension/social welfare increases, dependent children, a carer on Carer's Allowance or Benefit providing full-time care, or individuals on short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance/basis Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
For those eligible, the Fuel Allowance season begins on September 23.
Applications are not retroactively backdated.
Participants need not reapply annually if their circumstances and social welfare payment remain unchanged.
Online applications require a MyGovID account.
Alternatively, paper applications, NFS1 for those under 70 and NFS2 for those 70 and over, are available from local post offices or by calling 0818 200 400.
For the latest local updates, visit our homepage or join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp for daily content, exclusive offers, and more.
Our privacy notice is available online.
The scheme operates for 28 weeks annually, from September to April, distributing payments either weekly at €33 or in two lump sum payments of €462 each.
The first lump sum was issued in September 2024, with the second scheduled for January 2025.
Households receiving the €33 weekly instalments will receive their last payment for the 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance season on April 4, 2025.
An additional €300 Fuel Allowance lump sum was introduced by the Government in Budget 2025 as part of their cost of living relief plan.
The Budget 2025 also announced that starting January, the Fuel Allowance means test disregard for individuals aged 66 and over would be €524 for singles and €1,048 for couples.
Furthermore, the Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance from the following month.
Eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance include living alone, receiving a qualifying payment (unless aged 70 or over), passing a means test, and residing in Ireland.
Fuel Allowance is not applicable where accommodation includes covered heating costs.
Applicants can still qualify for Fuel Allowance if cohabiting with a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant eligible for pension/social welfare increases, dependent children, a carer on Carer's Allowance or Benefit providing full-time care, or individuals on short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance/basis Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
For those eligible, the Fuel Allowance season begins on September 23.
Applications are not retroactively backdated.
Participants need not reapply annually if their circumstances and social welfare payment remain unchanged.
Online applications require a MyGovID account.
Alternatively, paper applications, NFS1 for those under 70 and NFS2 for those 70 and over, are available from local post offices or by calling 0818 200 400.
For the latest local updates, visit our homepage or join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp for daily content, exclusive offers, and more.
Our privacy notice is available online.
