Diet and heating supplements
Information
If you have special dietary and heating needs you may be able to get additional weekly supplements under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
To get a diet supplement or a heating supplement you must satisfy the specific requirements for each supplement - see 'Rules' below.
Rules
Diet supplement
You can get a diet supplement for a prescribed diet, if you:
- Have a specified medical condition
- Are getting a social welfare payment
- Satisfy a means test.
To get a diet supplement, a hospital consultant or a hospital registrar must certify:
- That you or your adult dependant or child dependant has been prescribed a diet because of a specified medical condition
- The type of diet prescribed
- How long you will need the prescribed diet.
A gluten free diet for an adult or a child aged 18 to 22 may be prescribed by your family doctor (GP).
In the case of diet supplements, for example, for people with cystic fibrosis, the long-term illness scheme book may be accepted as verification that such a diet has been prescribed. The length of time for which the diet is being prescribed and the type of diet must be stated.
Diets that qualify for the diet supplement
The weekly cost of each prescribed diet is set by the Department of Social Protection. The following diets qualify for the diet supplement:
| Qualifying prescribed diets | Cost of diet, € |
| Low-lactose, milk-free diet | 65.43 |
| Gluten-free diet | 68.43 |
| High-protein, high-calorie diet | 71.43 |
| Altered consistencies (liquidised) diet | 74.93 |
Heating supplement
The heating supplement is an additional weekly payment to help with the cost of heating your home. You may get a heating supplement, if you:
- Can show you have extra heating needs because of your age, medical condition or disability
- Are living alone or only with a dependent adult or dependent children
- Satisfy a means test
Rates
Adult diet supplement
The rate for a single person and lone parent is calculated as follows: The diet cost as set by the Department of Social Protection, less one-third of your social welfare payment at the 2007 rate = the diet supplement to be paid to you.
Example 1:
- Paul is on a high-protein, high-calorie diet and is getting a One-Parent Family Payment. The Department of Social Protection has set the cost of this diet at €71.43. Take one-third of his social welfare payment (excluding any amount he is getting for a child dependant) from €71.43 to get the amount of diet supplement payable. (€71.43 - €61.93 (or one-third of his One Parent Family Payment at the 2007 rate) = €9.50 paid as diet supplement)
The rate for a married or cohabiting couple is calculated as follows: The diet cost as set by the Department of Social Protection less one-sixth of your social welfare payment at the 2007 rate = the diet supplement to be paid to you.
Example 2:
- Mary is married and on a high-protein high-calorie diet and is getting Jobseeker's Allowance. The Department of Social Protection has set the cost of this diet at €71.43 . Take one-sixth of her social welfare payment (excluding any amount she is getting for a child dependant) from €71.43 to get the amount of diet supplement payable. (€71.43 - €51.52 (one-sixth of her Jobseeker's Allowance payment including an increase for her adult dependant at the 2007 rate) = €19.91 paid as diet supplement)
People getting Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement
If you are getting Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance personal rate for 2007, and qualified adult rate where applicable, is used to calculate the amount of diet supplement. In assessing your means, any increases in social welfare payments for children are not taken into account.
Child diet supplement
The diet supplement rates for a qualified child are as follows:
- Low lactose, milk free diet = €3.50
- Gluten free diet = €6.50
- High protein, high calorie diet = €9.50
- Altered consistency (liquidised) diet = €13
A child is considered to be a dependant if they are under 18, or is over 18 and under 22 and in full-time education.
Heating supplement
There is no fixed rate for heating supplement. The amount of heating supplement you get is based on your need as assesed by your Department of Social Protection's representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer).
How to apply
To apply for a heating supplement, fill in a heating supplement form (pdf). The Department of Social Protection's representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer) can help you fill in the form.
To apply for a diet supplement, you must fill in an application form. If you are applying for an adult, fill in an adult diet supplement form (pdf). If you are applying for a child, fill in a child diet supplement form (pdf). The Department's representative can help you fill in the form.
Where to apply
To get a diet or heating supplement, apply to the Department of Social Protection's representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer) in your local health centre.
Language
Related Documents
- Overview of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme
Describes the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme including the basic payment and supplements under the scheme. - State Pension (Non-Contributory)
The State Pension (Non-Contributory) previously called the Old Age Non-Contributory Pension is a means-tested payment available to people in Ireland aged 66 and over who do not qualify for a contributory pension. - Additional social welfare benefits
There are many extra benefits available to certain people getting a social welfare payment. Find out more about these extra benefits.
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.