Full list of people who can claim €420 payment towards bills

In the midst of the ongoing cost of living crisis, any financial assistance can make a huge difference to households.

One such payment from the Department of Social Protection is the Household Benefits Package, which contributes around €420 annually to either electricity or gas bills.

There are a number of conditions to meet to be able to claim the handy payment – we have amassed a list of who can qualify.

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Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Household Benefits Package?

The Household Benefits Package helps towards the costs of your electricity or gas bills. It also includes your television licence.

Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household and you must reside full time in Ireland.

Who can claim it?

To qualify for the Household Benefits Package, you must:

• live in Ireland (full-time, all year round)
• be the only person in the house getting the Household Benefits Package

AND

OR

• be between age 66 and 70 and meet the qualifying conditions

OR

• be under 66 and meet the qualifying conditions

Qualifying conditions for under 70s

If you are under 70, you can qualify for the Household Benefits Package. You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment and if applicable:

• your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant must be a getting an Increase for a Qualified Adult on your qualifying payment

OR

• your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant gets a qualifying payment of their own

OR

• if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant gets a social welfare benefit payment, they must satisfy a means test
• if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is over 66 they must also satisfy a means test if they do not have a qualifying payment of their own

You can also qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you meet one of these conditions:

• you are getting Carer’s Allowance and living with the person you are caring for
• you are caring for a person you are living with who is getting Constant Attendance Allowance

If you are aged between 66 and 70 and you are not getting a qualifying payment, then you must satisfy a means test.

A Widow/Widower/Surviving Civil Partner getting a Widow’s/Widower’s Contributory/Non Contributory Pension or a Garda Widow’s Ordinary Pension and aged between 60 and 65 years may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package.

You can see a list of qualifying payments here.

How much is the Household Benefits Package?

The rate of payment for your electricity or gas bill is €1.15 per day. Payment is either paid to the service supplier and deducted from your bill or paid into your bank account or post office. Cash payment is paid monthly, on the first Tuesday of each month.

When you qualify for the Household Benefits Package you qualify for a free Television Licence from its next renewal date. You apply for this as part of your Household Benefits Package application.

To get your Household Benefit Package payment as a credit applied to your electricity or gas bill, you must provide a bill showing that you are the registered bill payer for the address you are applying for.