Fuel Allowance
A weekly winter payment towards heating costs, paid to one person per household across a 28-week season. You must already be getting a qualifying social welfare payment and pass a separate means test.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- No
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Fuel Allowance?
€38/week
Weekly rate
Paid for 28 weeks, normally late September to April. The 2025/26 season started 22 September 2025 and was extended by 4 weeks to 1 May 2026. You can take it weekly or as 2 lump sums.
Who can get Fuel Allowance
- You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment or pension.
- You must live alone or only with other people who also qualify.
- You must pass the Fuel Allowance means test.
- Only one Fuel Allowance is paid per household.
The Fuel Allowance means test
Fuel Allowance has its own means test, separate from the payment that qualifies you for it. Getting a qualifying payment does not automatically get you Fuel Allowance.
| Aged 66+ — weekly income limit, single | €534 |
|---|---|
| Aged 66+ — weekly income limit, couple | €1,068 |
| Under 66 — weekly income limit, single | €499.30 |
| Under 66 — weekly income limit, couple (qualified adult under 66) | €698.70 |
| Under 66 — weekly income limit, couple (qualified adult 66 or over) | €767.70 |
How your savings are assessed
Disability Allowance and Carer's Allowance only. The first €50,000 is disregarded — far more generous than the standard scale.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €50,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance (any capital over €70,000) | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Under-66 limits are the maximum State Pension (Contributory), including increases, plus €200. The first €50,000 of capital is disregarded.
Things people get caught by
- Applications are not backdated. If you apply after the season starts you lose the weeks before you applied.
- The 2-lump-sum option is not available if you are on the Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Gateway, Community Employment, Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Working Family Payment.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Fuel Allowance.
- Living Alone Allowance
If you get both, you also get a Telephone Support Allowance of €2.50 a week automatically.
- Household Benefits Package
Separate scheme covering electricity or gas and the TV licence.