Thousands across Ireland are eligible for €420 annually which helps with electricity or gas bills
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Households may not realise they could be entitled to a bonus worth €420 annually towards their electricity or gas costs.
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) assists with the expense of your electricity or gas bill and the TV licence. Thousands of people throughout Ireland qualify for the €420 yearly bonus.
The scheme provides monthly payments of €35 that can be applied towards either electricity or natural gas allowances, plus a complimentary television licence. Anyone aged 70 or over living in Ireland full-time can qualify without means testing or requiring a State pension. Only one person per household can claim the benefit, reports RSVP Live.
To receive the Household Benefits Package, you must be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round), be the only person in your household getting the HBP, be aged 70 or over or be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules and have the electricity or gas bill in your name if you are applying for to have an Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as a credit on your bill. Those under 70 can access the Household Benefits Package if they’re receiving a qualifying social welfare payment.
If you’re under 70 and living with your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can qualify for the HBP if you’re receiving a qualifying social welfare payment and: you’re receiving an increase in your qualifying social welfare payment for them, or they’re receiving their own qualifying social welfare payment listed below, or they’re receiving a social welfare payment not listed below and they satisfy a means test.
Widowed individuals or surviving civil partners aged 60-65 may be eligible if their late partner previously received the package and they meet certain payment criteria. If you were under 60 when your spouse or civil partner passed away, you can access the Household Benefits Package when you reach 60 if you meet the conditions.
The package comprises two allowances: €35 per month for electricity or gas (applicants must select one), and a free TV licence from the next renewal date. You can find out more about the scheme here.
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