One lump or two for winter fuel allowance?
OLDER residents are reminded to make sure their applications for the Winter Fuel Allowance into the Department of Social Protection are in on time if they want to avail of new lump sum payments.
The deadline for these applications this year is September 15.
Fianna Fáil TD John Curran, Chair of the Social Protection Committee, said: “As part of changes to the scheme, following lobbying by a variety of older people’s organisations, the Department has agreed to the option of paying the Winter Fuel Allowance in two lump sums – €292.50 in October and the remaining €292.50 in January – or to continue to receive the weekly payments of €22.50.
“This will allow people to buy larger quantities of fuel and avail of the discounts associated with bulk buying.
“Equally, it will allow people with oil heating to fill their tanks ahead of the winter cold spell, without having to worry about paying such a large bill.
“We need to remember that pensioners have fixed incomes and it can be very difficult to pull together two or three hundred euro to pay for a delivery of oil.
“I am calling on people in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown to ensure that if they want to receive lump sum payments that they have their applications filled out and sent to the Department of Social Protection by September 15.”
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