The National Fuel Allowance Scheme is being paid out to over 404,000 households nationwide from today.
The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments of €462 each.
Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks between winter 2023/2024.
As part of Budget 2023, the scheme was expanded with an entirely new means test for people over 70.
Under the changes, a single person over 70 can have income of €500 per week while a couple can have income of €1,000 per week. In addition, the amount of savings disregarded in the over 70s means test has been increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
In the case of a couple where one person is under 70 and one person is over 70, they will be assessed under the over 70s means test criteria.
The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 has also been increased by €80 per week, from €120 to €200 above the weekly rate of State Pension Contributory.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for Fuel Allowance is online via www.MyWelfare.ie
