22-05-2025
Social welfare Ireland: Exact criteria for scheme that helps pay energy bills
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A social welfare scheme is available that contributes towards the cost of gas, electricity and the TV licence.
The Household Benefits Package is automatically available to everyone aged 70 and over. You don't need to be receiving a state pension to qualify and there's no means testing involved.
Some individuals under 70 are also eligible for the scheme , but additional criteria apply. Here's all you need to know about the Household Benefits Package:
Who qualifies for the Household Benefits Package
Those aged over 70 who live full-time in Ireland, are the sole person in the household receiving the HBP and have an electricity or gas bill in their name are eligible for the payment.
Those under 70 living with a spouse, cohabitant, civil partner or other adults can receive the payment if they are receiving a qualifying social welfare payment and:
You are getting an increase in your qualifying social welfare payment for them (see list of qualifying social welfare payments below), or
They are getting their own qualifying social welfare payment listed below, or
They are getting a social welfare payment not listed below and they satisfy a means test
The qualifying social welfare payments for people aged between 66 and 70 are:
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
Deserted Wife's Benefit
Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for.
An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice
An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
If you are aged between 66 and 70 and are not getting a qualifying social welfare payment, you must pass a means test.
The qualifying social welfare payments for those aged under 66 are:
Disability Allowance
Invalidity Pension
Blind Pension
Incapacity Supplement (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)
Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for.
An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
What's included in the Household Benefits Package.
The HBP offers a monthly payment of €35 towards either your electricity or natural gas bills. Additionally, it provides a free TV licence.
The utility bill allowance is transferred to either a bank account or post office on the first Tuesday of every month. If your energy supplier is Electric Ireland for electricity or Bord Gais for gas, the allowance can be credited directly to your bill each month.
How to apply for the Household Benefits Package
You can apply online for the Household Benefits Package using if you have a MyGovID account.
If you cannot apply online, you can fill in the Household Benefit Package application form (pdf) and return it to the Household Benefits Package section: Household Benefits Package, Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, Ireland, F91 T384.
For more information, click here.
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