Umair Gaines
The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances designed to help with the costs of running a household. It includes the Electricity or Gas Allowance and a Free Television Licence. The Electricity Allowance is set at €35 per month or €1.15 per day. To apply for the Electricity Allowance, you must be a resident of the Republic of Ireland and be the only person in your household receiving the allowance. You can apply online at MyWelfare.ie through your MyGovID account. If you are unable to apply online, you can download the Household Benefit Package application form and return it by post. If you are getting the allowance paid as cash, you do not need to be the named person on the bill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | People over 70 and people under 70 in some circumstances. |
| Application Process | Apply online at MyWelfare.ie through your MyGovID account. If you cannot apply online, you can download the application form and apply by post. |
| Amount | €35 per month or €1.15 per day. |
| Payment Options | Paid directly to your bank account or collected in person at the post office. |
| Name on the Bill | If you are getting the allowance paid as cash, your name does not need to be on the bill. |
| Change of Address | If you change your address, you must re-apply for the allowance. |
| Change of Energy Supplier | If you change your energy supplier, you must inform the Department of Social Protection and provide proof of the switch. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for electricity allowance
The eligibility criteria for electricity allowance vary depending on the specific scheme and the applicant's circumstances. Here are the eligibility criteria for some of the commonly mentioned electricity allowance schemes:
Free Electricity Allowance:
- Age: Individuals aged 70 or above automatically qualify. Those under 70 may still apply but must meet specific social welfare criteria. Applicants under 66 must be receiving specific social security pensions or benefits, such as the Widower's Pension or an equivalent social security benefit from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.
- Residency: Applicants must live legally and permanently in Ireland.
- Household composition: Only one person per household can apply for and receive the allowance.
- Account holder: The applicant must be the person registered on the electricity bill.
- Income: There may be income requirements for those under 70, but specific details were not readily available.
Household Benefits Package (HBP):
- Age: Individuals over 70 are eligible. Those between 66 and 70 may also qualify if they meet the necessary conditions.
- Social welfare: If the applicant is under 70 and lives with a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, they must receive a qualifying social welfare payment, and their partner must be a Qualified Adult on their welfare payment.
- Household composition: Only one Household Benefit Package is payable per household.
Fuel Allowance:
- Social welfare: Applicants must be receiving a long-term social welfare payment and be unable to provide for their heating needs from their own resources.
- Income: The applicant's gross weekly income must be below a certain amount, as determined by a means test conducted by the Department of Social Protection.
- Household composition: Only one Fuel Allowance is paid per household.
Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme:
- Customer type: Applicants must be domestic electricity customers.
- Usage: Properties with very low levels of use (less than 150kWh of energy per quarter between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024) will not automatically get the credits.
- Registration: Applicants must be registered with an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland and have a unique Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN).
Free Energy Upgrade Scheme:
- Welfare payments: Homeowners must receive certain welfare payments.
- Energy rating: The scheme focuses on homes with low energy ratings, such as a BER of E, F, or G.
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How to apply for the allowance online
To apply for the allowance online, you must visit MyWelfare.ie and use your MyGovID account. If you do not have a MyGovID account, you can create one on the same website.
The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances per household that helps with the costs of running your household. It includes electricity and gas allowances and a free television licence. It is paid to people over 70 and to people under 70 in some circumstances. The electricity allowance is set at €35 per month or €1.15 per day. The allowance is paid directly to your bank account or can be collected in person on the first Tuesday of each month at your local post office.
To apply, you will need to provide your electricity/gas supplier and either your electricity MPRN or gas GPRN and your TV licence reference number. You will also need to provide details of the bank account into which you would like to be paid or the post office for collection. If you are applying to have the allowance paid as a credit on your bill, you must be the named person on the bill. However, if you are applying to get the allowance paid as cash to your bank or post office account, or if the bill is in your landlord's name, the bill does not need to be in your name.
If you change your energy supplier, you must inform the Department of Social Protection and provide proof of the switch and the date it occurred. Any remaining allowance will be carried over to the new supplier.
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How to apply for the allowance by post
To apply for the allowance by post, you will first need to download the Household Benefit Package application form. You can find this on the website MyWelfare.ie.
The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances to help with the costs of running your household. It includes the Electricity or Gas Allowance and a Free Television Licence. It is paid to people over 70 and to people under 70 in some circumstances. The Electricity Allowance is set at €35 per month or €1.15 per day. You can only apply for a free electricity allowance or a free gas allowance; you cannot receive both. If you have an electricity and natural gas supply, you must choose between the Electricity Allowance and Gas Allowance.
To apply for the allowance by post, you will need to provide your electricity/gas supplier and either your electricity MPRN or gas GPRN number and your TV licence reference number. You will also need to provide details of the bank account into which you would like to be paid or the post office for collection. If you are applying to have the allowance paid as a credit on your bill, you must be the named person on the bill and provide a bill showing that you are the registered bill payer for the address you are applying for. If you are applying to get the allowance paid as cash to your bank or post office account, the bill does not need to be in your name. If you are renting, your landlord will need to confirm in writing that you are a tenant and paying your own energy bills.
Once you have completed the application form, you can return it to the Household Benefits Package section at the following address: Household Benefits Package, Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, Ireland.
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What to do if you change your address
If you're moving to a new home, it's important to notify your electricity provider and other utility companies to avoid any interruptions in service. Here's what you need to do if you're changing your address and receiving an electricity allowance:
Notify Your Electricity Provider
Inform your electricity provider about your upcoming move and provide them with your new address. This step is crucial to ensure a seamless transfer of your service. Most utility companies allow you to choose a service transfer date, so you can plan ahead and have your electricity up and running at your new home.
Re-apply for the Electricity Allowance
If you are receiving an electricity allowance, such as the Household Benefits Package, you must re-apply after changing your address. You can do this by visiting the website MyWelfare.ie and applying online through your MyGovID account. Remember that you can choose between the Electricity Allowance and Gas Allowance within the Household Benefits Package, and you cannot receive both.
Update Your Payment and Account Information
Make sure to update your payment details, especially if you receive the allowance directly into your bank account. Additionally, if you use an app to manage your electricity account and payments, update your new address in the app to keep your information current.
Notify Other Service Providers and Organizations
In addition to your electricity provider, remember to notify other service providers, such as credit card companies, and organizations from which you receive mail. This includes updating your address with the postal service, as they can forward your mail to your new address for a period of time.
Plan Ahead for Any Necessary Changes
If you are moving to an area served by a different electricity provider, you may need to shop for a new provider and set up a new account. Give yourself enough time to research and choose a provider that suits your needs. Additionally, if you have specific requirements, such as installing a new electricity supply, factor in the time and costs associated with these changes.
By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition of your electricity service and allowance when changing your address. Remember to allow enough time for processing and notify all the necessary parties to avoid any disruptions in your new home.
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What to do if you change your energy supplier
If you are receiving the Household Benefits Package, which includes the Free Electricity Allowance, and you change your energy supplier, you must inform the Department of Social Protection. You will need to provide proof of your new energy supplier, such as a gas or electricity bill, from the date you changed over. Any remaining allowance will be carried over to your new supplier.
If you are not receiving the Household Benefits Package, you can still switch energy suppliers. Your new and old suppliers will work out the switchover between themselves, and there won't be any interruption to your energy supply. You can compare energy prices online to find the best deal for you. When you have chosen a new supplier, you will need to provide them with information from your energy bill. You will also need your bank details if you want to pay your energy bills by Direct Debit.
It's important to note that you may have to pay an exit fee if you switch suppliers before your fixed-rate tariff ends. However, your exit fee is usually waived up to 49 days before the end of your contract. You will also have a cooling-off period of 14 days, during which you can cancel your new contract without interrupting your energy supply.
If you are unable to switch suppliers because you owe money to your current supplier, you might still be able to switch if the bill was sent more than 28 days ago. If you owe less than £500, you can ask your new supplier to agree to transfer your debt along with your supply.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for the electricity allowance online at MyWelfare.ie through your MyGovID account. If you don't have a MyGovID account, you can create one on the same website. If you are unable to apply online, you can download the Household Benefit Package application form and return it to the Household Benefits Package section.
The electricity allowance is available to everyone over 70 and to people under 70 in certain circumstances. The payment isn't means-tested and you don't need to be receiving a State pension in order to get it. You must be living in Ireland legally and permanently and be the only person in your household receiving the allowance.
No, you can only apply for either the electricity allowance or the gas allowance. You will have to choose which one will be more beneficial to your personal circumstances.
