Household Budget Scheme
Introduction
The Household Budget Scheme is a scheme that helps those getting certain social welfare payments in Ireland to spread the cost of some household bills over the year. Under this scheme, a fixed amount is deducted from your social welfare payment each week.
The scheme is operated by An Post and in order to qualify, you must be getting a certain social welfare payment and your payment must be paid through your local post office. The Household Budget Scheme is free of charge.
Rules
To qualify for the Household Budget Scheme you must be getting one of the following social welfare payments:
- Back to Work Allowance
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer's Benefit
- Farm Assist
- Invalidity Pension
- Jobseeker’s Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- State Pension (Contributory)
- State Pension (Non–Contributory)
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Pre-Retirement Allowance
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non–Contributory) Pension
- Back to Education Allowance
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance (basic payment).
What bills can I pay under the Household Budget Scheme?
There is a limited number of bills you can pay using the Household Budget Scheme, they are as follows:
- Local authority rent or mortgage
- ESB
- Gas – Bord Gáis
- Eircom
Only the above service providers are part of the Scheme. If your service provider is not listed above, you cannot pay them under the Household Budget Scheme.
The Social Welfare Act 2012 made changes to the suppliers that can be paid under the Household Budget Scheme. This provision is not yet in force. When the change comes into force you will be able to use the Scheme to pay any supplier that is licenced to provide gas or electricity in the State.
You must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed above to apply for the Household Budget Scheme.
Rates
How much can I deduct?
You can opt to cover the full amount of the bill. You cannot however have more than 25% of your total weekly social welfare payment deducted under this scheme. A minimum amount must be deducted each week for each bill to be paid under the Household Budget Scheme. The deduction from your payment will be passed on to pay your bill within 4 days of you getting your payment at the post office.
Can I change the amount deducted?
Yes. To make changes to current deductions, you must complete a new Household Budget Instruction Form and send it to the address below.
How can I stop a deduction?
To cancel a deduction you must give 2 weeks written notice to An Post (see
address below). Remember to give your name, address, PPS number and details of the
deductions you want to cancel, including the account number.
How to apply
To open an account under the Household Budget Scheme complete a Household Budget Deduction Instruction Form for each bill you want to make a weekly payment towards. Send your completed form marked 'Freepost' (you do not need a stamp) to the address below. Forms are also available in your local Post Office.
It will take about 28 days to process your request to have deductions made from your social welfare payment.
Where to apply
Further questions about the Household Budget Scheme is available from An Post at the address below.
Language
Related Documents
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory)
Pension
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's contributory pension (formerly the Widow's/Widower's (Contributory) Pension) and related social welfare benefits may be payable if either the deceased person or their spouse/civil partner has enough PRSI contributions. - Fuel Allowance
The National Fuel Scheme provides an allowance to low-income households that are unable to meet their heating needs. - Taxation of social welfare payments
Social welfare payments may or may not be deemed taxable in Ireland. Find out about the rules on taxation of social welfare payments.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.