881. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons (details supplied) are in receipt of the household package and fuel allowance and electricity allowance. [1400/25]

The Household Benefits Package comprises of an Electricity or Gas allowance, and a Free Television Licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. The payment is made on a monthly basis.

The Household Benefits Package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment, or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For customers aged 70 or over, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment or to satisfy a means test.

An application for the Household Benefits Package was received from the spouse of the person concerned on 17 September 2015. She was awarded the Household Benefits Package, backdated to the date her Carer's Allowance was awarded on 30 April 2015.

The person concerned is in receipt of State Pension Non-contributory. To qualify for Fuel Allowance, a person must be living alone or with other people who also satisfy the qualifying conditions. Following a review of the person’s entitlement to Fuel Allowance on 23 August 2022, it was determined that the person did not qualify, as another member of the household, aged under 66, was not in receipt of a qualifying payment from my department.

Should the person’s circumstances have changed and they wish to reapply for Fuel Allowance, it is necessary for the person concerned to complete and submit an application form, which has been issued to them by post. On receipt of the completed Fuel Allowance application, the person’s eligibility will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.