Smokeless Fuel Allowance

Information

The Smokeless Fuel Allowance is an allowance paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to low-income households to help them meet the extra costs of using smokeless or low smoke fuels in certain parts of the country. The marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous (smoke causing) fuel in some parts of the Ireland has been banned since 1990. The result of this ban has been a significant improvement in air quality in these areas.

Local authorities carry out spot checks on fuel retailers to ensure compliance with the ban. Complaints about the burning of unauthorised materials should be reported to your local authority.

The areas where you must use smokeless or low smoke fuels areas are:

• Arklow
• Bray
• Celbridge
• Cork
• Drogheda
• Dublin
• Dundalk
• Galway City
• Kilkenny
• Leixlip
• Limerick
• Naas
• Sligo
• Tralee
• Waterford City
• Wexford.

Rules

If you live within the areas mentioned above, you may qualify for the Smokeless Fuel Allowance if:

You are getting a Fuel Allowance under the National Fuel Scheme

Or

You are getting one of the following payments:

• Illness Benefit 
• Jobseeker's Benefit 
• Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 3 months
• Family Income Supplement

And

You live alone or only with:

• A qualified adult and/or children. A child may be regarded as a dependant until he or she reaches the age of 18 or 22 if in he or she is in full-time education (except for Illness Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit, short-term Jobseeker's Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance)
• Other people getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment
• A person who gives you full-time care and attention if you are an incapacitated person.

Only one Smokeless Fuel Allowance will be paid to a household.

You will not qualify for a Smokeless Fuel Allowance if:

• Your heating needs are met under a deed transferring property
• You and members of your household have a combined income of more than €100 per week or savings/investments of €58,000 or more above the appropriate maximum benefit/assistance rate.

Rates

The amount paid is €3.90 each week. 

The Smokeless Fuel Allowance is paid for 32 weeks.

How to apply

The Smokeless Fuel Allowance will automatically be included with your Fuel Allowance if you are already getting an allowance under the National Fuel Scheme.

If you in receipt of Illness Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit, short-term Jobseeker's Allowance, you will get a claim form automatically and if you qualify, the allowance will be included in your weekly payment.

If you are getting Family Income Supplement, you will get a claim form automatically and if you qualify, you can collect your allowance, using your social services card, at your local Post Office.

Where to apply

Further information about the Smokeless Fuel Allowance is available from your Social Welfare Local Office.