Thousands missing out on €420 payment towards heating and energy bills

Thousands of people are missing out on a payment towards heating and electricity costs.

The Household Benefit Package contributes €420 a year towards either your electricity bill or your gas bill.

Anyone who qualifies also gets a free TV license.

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Here’s everything you need to know about it and how to apply.

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.

For those aged 70 or over, it is not means tested and you do not need to be getting a qualifying payment.

If you are between 66 and 70 you may still get the package, if you meet the necessary conditions.

You may also get the package if you are under 66 and get Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension or Carer’s Allowance (if you are living with the person you are caring for).

Who is eligible for the Household Benefits Package?

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

You can check out all the qualifying conditions 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.

How to apply

You can now apply on www.MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits Package.