Smokeless Fuel Allowance
Information
The Smokeless Fuel Allowance was an extra allowance paid by the Department of Social Protection 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 Smokeless Fuel Allowance was abolished from 1 September 2011. You can read FAQs about this change from the Department of Social Protection.
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 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 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.
Language
Related Documents
- Fuel Allowance
The National Fuel Scheme provides an allowance to low-income households that are unable to meet their heating needs. - Jobseeker's Allowance
A means-tested payment to people who are unemployed and looking for work. Find out if you can get Jobseeker's Allowance. - Work and Jobseeker's Allowance
Explains how your income from work and your spouse's income from work can affect your rate of Jobseeker's Allowance.
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.