Need to knowApplications are open now
Eoin Shortiss Reporter and Blathin de Paor
15:01, 01 Aug 2026Updated 15:06, 01 Aug 2026
Wallet filled with euro notes
A much-needed social welfare scheme is resuming in just a few weeks – offering families support with home heating costs.
The 2026/2027 season of the Fuel Allowance payment will resume at the end of September and run until April. During this time, those who qualify will receive €38 per week over 28 weeks or two lump-sum payments totalling €1,064, RSVP Live reports. The payment was increased from €33 to €38 per week in January 2026.
Applications are now open now – here’s all you need to know about the scheme and how to apply:
How to qualify for Fuel Allowance
To qualify for the scheme, you must:
Be legally resident in IrelandBe mainly responsible for the heating costs of your householdSatisfy a means testBe getting a qualifying social welfare payment or pension if you are under 66People aged 66 or over can also qualify under different rules and do not need to be getting a qualifying social welfare payment.You cannot get Fuel Allowance if your heating costs are provided in full as part of your accommodation
To get Fuel Allowance, you must live alone, or with:
A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who qualifies for an increase on your pension or social welfare payment, or is getting a qualifying payment in their own rightDependent childrenA person who gets Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit, and who is caring for you or for your spouse, partner or cohabitant, or for a qualified child dependant on a full-time basisA person getting short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance (less than 312 days) or basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (less than 364 days)A person getting a qualifying payment (for example, long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance) and who would be eligible for a Fuel Allowance in their own rightA person aged 66 or overA person renting a room from you, where this doesn’t affect your entitlement to Fuel AllowanceA person you provide accommodation to in your own home, and for whom you get the Accommodation Recognition Payment
Qualifying social welfare payments:
If you are 66 or over, you do not need to be getting a qualifying social welfare payment, but you must still meet the other conditions, including the relevant means test.
For people under 66, qualifying payments include:
Qualifying social insurance paymentsState Pension (Contributory)Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) PensionInvalidity PensionIncapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit SchemeGuardian’s Payment (Contributory)Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries SchemeA pension or benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, provided there is an equivalent Irish paymentQualifying social assistance paymentsState Pension (Non-Contributory)Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) PensionDisability AllowanceBlind PensionDeserted Wife’s Benefit or AllowanceOne-Parent Family PaymentGuardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)Farm AssistJobseeker’s Transitional PaymentSupplementary Welfare AllowanceJobseeker’s AllowanceWorking Family PaymentJobseeker’s Allowance and Fuel Allowance
Jobseeker’s Allowance
You can qualify for Fuel Allowance if you have been getting Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than 312 days over 12 months. Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid on a six-day week basis, meaning 12 months’ payment is reached after day 312.
Days on Jobseeker’s Benefit and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment can count towards the 312 days if the payment was immediately before your Jobseeker’s Allowance claim.
You can keep your Fuel Allowance if you move to Jobseeker’s Allowance from One-Parent Family Payment, Carer’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, subject to the relevant conditions.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
You can qualify if you have been getting Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance for more than 364 days over 12 months. It is paid on a seven-day week basis, so 12 months’ payment is reached after day 364.
Employment or education support schemes
You can keep your Fuel Allowance if you were getting it before starting certain employment or education schemes, including:
Back to Work AllowanceBack to Education AllowanceBack to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA)Community Employment (CE)Rural Social Scheme (RSS)Tús
You can also apply for Fuel Allowance while on CE, RSS or Tús if you meet all the relevant qualifying conditions. If you were getting a long-term qualifying payment before starting CE, RSS or Tús, you satisfy the qualifying payment requirement.
Half-rate payments
You do not qualify for Fuel Allowance if you are getting a half-rate payment in addition to a qualifying payment. This does not apply to half-rate Carer’s Allowance.
How your income is assessed for Fuel AllowanceYou are usually accepted as passing the means test for Fuel Allowance, if you are getting a qualifying social assistance (means-tested) payment.If you get a means-tested payment, you have already satisfied the means test and it does not need to be done again.You can find out more information about this here.How much is Fuel Allowance and how to apply
Fuel Allowance is currently €38 per week. The Fuel Allowance season normally runs for 28 weeks, although the 2025/26 season was extended by an additional four weeks.
You can apply for the Fuel Allowance online on the MyWelfare website here. You must have a MyGovID account to apply online.
If you cannot apply online, you can instead use a phyiscal form. For those aged under 66, fill in the NFS1 form to apply for fuel allowance (linked here). If you are aged 66 or over, fill in the NFS2 form to apply for fuel allowance (linked here).
You can also get a form from your local post office or by phoning 0818 200 400. You should ask for the relevant form for your age. You can get help to fill in your application form at your Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.