More about Fuel Allowance and who is eligible here.
NEW: As announced in Budget 2023 – there was an extra one-off payment of fuel allowance in November 2022. This was €400 and was paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment the week commencing 14th November 2022.
It is likely that there could be a further extra payment in Spring 2023.
Lump Sum Payments
Most people getting the Winter Fuel Allowance have the option to receive the payment in two lump-sum payments instead of weekly.
This change was announced in the Autumn of 2017 and will continue until further notice.
Previously, the Fuel Allowance had always been paid on a weekly basis.
The lump sum instalment option is not available to participants of Employment Support Schemes – Rural Social Scheme, Tús and Community Employment, as these payments are not made directly by the department. Neither is it available to recipients of Supplementary Welfare Allowance, as this is a short-term scheme.
It is hoped that lump sums will be more useful to allow people to get cheaper fuel by buying in bulk where possible. Oil, coal and peat are usually cheaper when bought in larger amounts.
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/>Fuel Allowance Payment Dates 2023- 2024
The Fuel Allowance rate is now €33 per week . It was increased in Budget 2022 from €28 a week.
The first lump sum of €462 was paid in the last week of September 2022.
An extra €400 and was also paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment in the week commencing 14th November 2022.
January 2023 Fuel Allowance
The second fuel allowance lump sum of €462 (14 weeks at €33 per week) was paid in early January 2023.
There may be a further “extra” lump sum during March or April – this has yet to be confirmed.
The first lump sum of the 2023/24 period will be due in the last week of September 2023.
How to Apply for Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payments instead of Weekly
If you want to switch your fuel allowance to lump sums or a weekly payment for 2023-24, you must fill in form CPF 1 and send it to the section that pays your primary payment. You will need to request the change by the start of September 2023 to be sure of getting the 2023 lump sum in October.
Anyone that submits the form after the cut off time cannot be guaranteed that they will receive the fuel allowance lump sum for that period, but their weekly payment of the allowance will continue until the next lump sum issue date.
Weekly payments of fuel allowance in 2023 will begin in the last week of September 2023.
This CPF 1 form should also be available from your local post office, Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
You can also text “FORM FUELCHANGE” followed by your name and address to 51909.
More information and application forms are available from local Intreo Centres, Social Protection Offices or online at http://www.welfare.ie/fuel
This option is not available to people getting payments under the Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Gateway, Community Employment and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
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