Fuel allowance payments are due to begin this week for 18,497 households in Donegal and an estimated 370,000 households across the State.
A budget of €292 million has been set aside for the upcoming 2021/2022 winter season.
Recipients are paid weekly rate of €28 or, if they prefer, by way of two lump sum payments of €392 each.
The first weekly payments will issue from this week in addition to a person’s normal weekly social welfare payments.
Householders who were paid the Fuel Allowance last year will automatically be paid again this year as long they remain entitled.
Anyone who is newly eligible for the payment is being invited to submit an application immediately.
Customers who wish to apply for Fuel Allowance must complete the Fuel Allowance application form (NFS1) which is available through the Department’s Intreo Centres, Post Offices or on the Department’s website www.gov.ie/dsp and return it to their scheme area. One Fuel Allowance is paid per household.
Customers who received the payment last year do not need to apply again but will instead receive the payment automatically provided they retain an entitlement to the payment.
As well as receiving the payment in weekly instalments, customers can elect to receive Fuel Allowance in two lump sum payments. The first lump sum payment of €392 will issue this week (27th September) and the second will issue the week of 3rd January 2022.