merrion street

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton today announced that the Fuel Allowance season will be extended by one week to further assist recipients in light of the current cold weather conditions.

I want to reassure recipients worried about heating their homes during the current cold snap, so I am extending the scheme by one week. A total of 410,000 people receive the Fuel Allowance and the extended payment will be made automatically, meaning they will not have to apply.

My Department has been closely monitoring the weather conditions and this extension should ensure that recipients are covered throughout this unseasonable weather spell. This will make it easier for recipients to heat their homes and I hope this will give them peace of mind.

The Fuel Allowance is paid for 26 weeks over the coldest months of the year, from October to April, and final payments for the 2012-2013 season were due to be paid in the first week of April.

Today’s decision to extend the season means recipients will receive a further payment from week beginning April 8th.

Minister Burton said:

Today’s extension will provide additional assistance and reassurance to recipients. It’s also important to note that the Fuel Allowance is just one of several ways in which the Department assists low-income households with their heating costs.

Read the full press release here.