Fuel Allowance to be paid to 410,000 homes from Monday

Eva Osborne

The Fuel Allowance will be paid to 410,000 households across the country from Monday with the aim of helping people meet the rising cost of energy bills this winter.

The payment is made at a weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, through two instalments of €462 each.

Social Protection Minister, Dara Calleary, said it is a vital payment heading into winter.

Speaking on Newstalk, he said: "It's very important for this time of year.

"We don't want people to have to make energy sacrifices, particularly as we come into the winter.

"That's why the Fuel Allowance is important, and that's why it will be a focus for Budget 2026 as well."

This Fuel Allowance season starts on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, and will be paid for 28 weeks until April 2026.

To get Fuel Allowance you must:

• Be aged 66 or over;
• Be under 66 and get a qualifying social welfare payment;
• Live alone (or only with certain people);
• Satisfy a means test.

You must also live in Ireland. You cannot get Fuel Allowance if your heating costs are provided in full as part of your accommodation.