Over 400,000 households to lose out on ‘crucial’ payment next month

This weekly payment has kept a lot of people warm over the last few months.

The fuel allowance, which came into effect last September, is set to end on 4 April.

The payment, which is paid in either two lump sums or 28 weekly payments, was made throughout the winter period to help people heat their homes.

The current rate of fuel allowance is paid in two lump sum payments of €462 or €33 per week. The first lump sum was paid in September 2024, and the second was paid in January.

Those who have benefitted have primarily been people living alone or those in receipt of social welfare payments.

With the summer months approaching, that vital payment is set to cease until September comes around again.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of households will be without a significant feature of their income for at least five months.

Those who wish to receive the payment again during the next term must re-apply before September. Your circumstances must remain the same and you must still be in receipt of the same social welfare payment as the previous term.

If you think you meet the means to receive the payment and wish to apply nice and early, you can do so at MyWelfare.ie.

Those over the age of 66 must fill in an NSF2 form to apply for the fuel allowance, while if you’re under 66 you must fill in the NSF1 form.