Major new social welfare cash shake-up for €35 payment in ‘treated equally' move for thousands of Irish after concern

The Irish Sun

a day ago

The new change will kick in from September
CASH BOOST Major new social welfare cash shake-up for €35 payment in 'treated equally' move for thousands of Irish after concern
A CREDIT scheme worth €35 monthly will be scrapped and replaced with cash payouts in September, it has been confirmed.
The Household Benefits Package assists with the costs of energy bills and also includes a free television licence.
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A major change is coming in for HBP recipients from September
Credit: Getty
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Beneficiaries will now receive the boost in cash
Credit: Getty Images
As part of the package, households get an electricity or gas allowance of €1.15 per day, totalling around €35 each month.
Those benefiting from the scheme had the option of being paid the allowance in cash or by credit - depending on their energy provider.
The credit option was available to electricity customers of Electric Ireland and gas customers of Bord Gais Energy and Flogas.
However the new move will mean the credit option will be removed for new customers.
Any existing customers who change their energy supplier will also receive the monthly payment in cash through their bank account or post office.
The Department of Social Protection said the move will ensure beneficiaries are 'treated equally'.
A spokesperson for the department told us: "In September 2025, the credit option for new Household Benefits Package customers will be removed and all new customers will receive their HBP in cash, via their nominated bank account or post office.
"The decision to remove the credit option for new customers has been taken following an examination of customer behaviour and trends over several years."
Department officials said there was a hike in the number of new customers are opting for the cash option even where the credit option is available.
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The spokesperson continued: "It also ensures that customers of all domestic energy providers are treated equally, and that no supplier would have a perceived advantage over competitors in the domestic energy market.
'This was a concern previously raised by the Electricity Association of Ireland and the CRU.
"Any existing customers using the credit facility at present can maintain that method of payment, unless they seek to change supplier.
'An existing customer who changes supplier will receive the monthly payment in cash, via their nominated bank account or post office."
Beneficiaries do not have to be living alone to get the Household Benefits Package.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR HBP
To get the Household Benefits Package, you must: Be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round)
Be the only person in your household getting the HBP
Be aged 70 or over
Be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules for 'People aged under 70' set out below
Have the electricity or gas bill in your name if you are applying for to have an Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as a credit on your bill
You don't need the bill to be in your name if you are applying to get the Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as cash to your bank or post office account, or if the bill is in your landlord's name.
But only one person in a household can avail of the payment boost.
Those aged 70 or over don't need to be getting a State pension and the package is not means tested for them.
People under 70 can also get the HBP boost but additional rules apply.
For those aged between 66 and 70 who are not getting a qualifying social welfare payment, they must pass a means test.