FUEL Allowance
recipients have just two weeks left if they need to
claim their winter heating payment in two lump sums
this season.
A new trial scheme allows people to receive a
292.50 payment next month and the same amount again
in January 2018.
The lump sums, totalling 585, are an alternative to
the existing payment of 22.50 a week over 26 weeks.
The pilot scheme is designed to help people who have
to buy their fuel in bulk and pay up front such as
home heating oil users. Many people in Donegal rely
on home heating oil as they dont have access to
alternative sources of heating such as piped natural
gas.
It is envisaged that the new lump sums will also
help householders avail of discounts that normally
apply the more fuel is bought. The cost of a
1000-litre fill of oil currently varies between 550
and 580 nationwide.
The 2017-2018 Fuel Allowance season begins on
Monday, October 2, 2017.
People have until September 15, 2017 to get their
completed lump sum forms in.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty announced
the trial earlier this year in response to calls
from representatives of the elderly and other
welfare recipients about the financial burden of
heating the home in winter.
A form is available from Post Offices, Citizens
Information centres or by texting FORM FUELCHANGE
followed by your name and address to 51909.
"Customers who submit their forms after (September
15th) cannot be guaranteed that they will receive
the lump sum in October, but their weekly payment of
the allowance will continue until the January lump
sum issue date," the department said in a statement. |
