Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has announced the start of the Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2026/2027 season.

Payments will commence this week for over 465,000 households, under expanded eligibility rules to allow more households to qualify.

The fuel allowance is a means-tested payment designed to help eligible households with their heating costs during the winter months.

The allowance will be paid out over the course of 28 weeks.

The payment is made at a weekly rate of €38, or two instalment payments of €532 each.

If the recipient prefers to receive the payment in two instalments, the first instalment will be paid this week and the second instalment in January 2027.

Expansion

The scheme has been expanded this year to make it available to more households; since January 2026, people receiving the working family payment who satisfy relevant qualifying criteria have been eligible for the scheme. 

Currently, almost 50,000 Working Family Payment recipients qualify for the fuel allowance.

Additionally, a Budget 2026 measure means that people who move from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension into employment from September 28, 2026 will keep their fuel allowance for up to five years.

The fuel allowance is available through 22 qualifying social welfare schemes. Only one fuel allowance is payable per household.

People aged 66 and over do not need to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection to qualify, provided they satisfy the relevant means test.

The over 465,000 households who now qualify for the payment represent around 26% of all households in the country.

Current recipients do not need to reapply for the fuel allowance if their circumstances have not changed and they are still in receipt of the relevant social welfare payment.

Commenting on the start of fuel allowance payments, Minister Calleary said: "The fuel allowance is a vital support for households facing higher heating costs over the winter months, and this week payments will begin for more than 465,000 households across the state.

"For many households, the cost of keeping the home warm can place significant pressure on the weekly budget, particularly during the colder months.

"Fuel allowance provides important financial support to help meet these costs and helps ensure that people can heat their homes with greater peace of mind," the minister said.