Q. I am already getting the Fuel Allowance and I’m wondering is the Household Benefits Package an additional payment I can claim? Times are tight and every little helps, any guidance would be appreciated.
Dear Reader,
The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances per household, available to people who are in receipt of certain payments, to help with the costs of running the household.
You must be fully resident in the Republic of Ireland to receive this allowance and only one member of a household can qualify for Household Benefits. There are two allowances under the benefit,: the Electricity or Gas Allowance and the Free Television Licence.
In terms of qualifying for the payment, you may be entitled to Household Benefits if you are aged over 70 or are between 66 and 70 and are in receipt of a State pension.
You may also be eligible if you are aged between 66 and 70 and are not getting a State pension but satisfy a means test, or you are aged under 70 and getting an equivalent social security pension/benefit from another country, or if you are aged under 66 and are getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Persons Pension, or Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Benefit.
You may too be eligible if you are aged over 60 and receiving a Garda Widows Pension or are widowed or a surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 and your late spouse or civil partner was getting Household Benefits. Or lastly if you are receiving Carer’s Allowance for a person you live with and are caring for and they are not already claiming it.
As regards the rate of the payment, electricity/gas is paid at a rate of €1.15 per day, or €35 per month, while the free television license does not have a monetary equivalent payment.
From September 8 this year, all new applicants for the Household Benefits Package will get paid the allowance to their nominated bank or post office on the first Tuesday of each month.
The amount paid each month can vary slightly depending on the number of days in the month. When you qualify for the Household Benefits Package, you may also qualify for a free television licence from its next renewal date.