THOUSANDS of Irish people could be missing out on a €462 cold weather cash lump sum or €33 weekly as temperatures plummet to -4C.
Fuel Allowance season kicked off back in September, but thousands who could be eligible for the cash may not be claiming it.
Ireland is experiencing the first snowfall of this winter season[/caption]
Nationwide low temperature and ice warnings will kick in nightly[/caption]
Munster will be on yellow alert for snow and ice in the early hours of Thursday[/caption]
Criteria for the social welfare payment will also change again in January after Budget 2025, meaning thousands more will be able to avail of the vital heating cash for the latter part of winter.
The Fuel Allowance is a €33-per-week payment, or a €462 lump sum paid twice across 28 weeks, paid out to some 404,000 Irish.
The Fuel Allowance, which is paid out to only one person per household, is available to people over 70, or people on a qualifying social welfare payment from September to April.
And thousands more will benefit when the payment is extended in the New Year.
People on the Carer’s Allowance will now be eligible for the Fuel Allowance, providing they meet the Fuel Allowance criteria.
And the means test disregard for the Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 and over from January, where it was previously for over-70s.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed: “I am reducing the age criteria for the Fuel Allowance means test from 70 to 66 with effect from January 2025.
“The means test disregard will be extended to those aged 66 and over at €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple meaning more people will qualify for this support.”
Any carers or over-66s who qualify for the cash from January will only receive a maximum of €462 for this season as the payment is not backdated.
The 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance season will wrap up after 28 weeks on April 4, 2025.
Several weather warnings are in place for a November cold snap, with more severe weather bound to hit Ireland before the end of the Fuel Allowance season next year.
WHO QUALIFIES?
To qualify, you must:
- Live alone or only with certain people
- Be getting a qualifying payment – unless you are 70 or over
- Satisfy a means test
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING SOCIAL WELFARE PAYMENTS AND PENSIONS?
If you are 70 or over, you don’t need a qualifying payment to qualify for Fuel Allowance.
Social welfare payments are either based on your PRSI contributions or means-tested social assistance payments.
Qualifying social insurance payments:
- State Pension Contributory
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension
- Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme
- Invalidity Pension
- Guardian’s Payment Contributory
- Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
- A pension or benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement (provided there is an equivalent Irish payment)
Qualifying social assistance payments:
- State Pension Non-Contributory
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Guardian’s Payment Non-Contributory
- Farm Assist
- Jobseeker’s Transitional payment
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance – if you’ve been getting it for 364 days
COLDEST TEMPS EVER RECORDED IN IRELAND
AS freezing conditions and low temperatures hit Ireland, the country is set to bask in ice, snow and sleet.
With temperatures setting into minus figures, it won’t beat the coldest days ever recorded on the island.
The coldest areas in Ireland are usually found inland, with coastal areas benefiting from sea breezes to keep warmer.
Mullingar, Co Westmeath has the lowest average temperature at 9.3C yearly, but it is not the coldest ever recorded area.
Here are the areas in the country that have recorded the lowest ever temperatures:
- Co Sligo: On January 16, 1881, –19.1C was recorded at Markree Castle in Collooney.
- Co Kildare: On January 2, 1979, -18.8C was recorded in Lullymore.
- Co Longford: On February 7, 1895, -17.8C was recorded in Mostrim while the area also saw the coldest July temperature ever at -0.3C on July 8, 1889.
- Co Sligo: Again at Markree Castle, -17.2C was recorded on March 3, 1947, -8.3C on October 31, 1926 and -7.7C on April 15, 1892.
- Co Donegal: The coldest ever temperature in May on record was detected in Glenties at -5.6C.
- Co Offaly: On June 1, 1962, Clonsast saw temperatures drop to -3.3C.
- Co Wicklow: The coldest ever day in August was in Rathdrum with temperatures dropping to -2.7C on August 30, 1964.
- Co Wexford: On November 29, 2010, Clonroche saw temperatures drop to -11.5C.
- Co Mayo: Also in 2010, temperatures in Straide dropped to -17.5C on Christmas Day.
HOW TO APPLY?
You can apply for the Fuel Allowance online and this requires the use of your MyGovID account.
For those who are unable to apply online there are two paper applications that can be printed and filled out.
The NFS1 form is to be filled out by those age under 70.
While the NFS2 form is the form that must be filled out by those age 70 or over.
Those who can not download the forms online can get a copy of the form at their local post office or by calling 0818 200 400.
For those who need assistance in filling out the form – your Intreo Centre, Social Weldare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre can assist with the application.
When returning the physical form – who you return it to depends on which qualifying social welfare payment you receive.
