Thousands of people may be entitled to little known €130 payment

There are a number of little known social welfare payments available that could be a help to many.

One such payment is the Telephone Support Allowance, which is an extra social welfare weekly payment.

It is aimed at helping with the cost of communications systems.

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You can avail of it if you are getting Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance. The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment for people who are living alone and getting a social welfare payment.

Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to only one person in a household.

Here’s everything you need to know about it and who qualifies.

What is the Telephone Support Allowance?

The Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is an extra weekly payment for people on certain social welfare payments who are also getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance.

It can help people living alone with the cost of communications or a home alert system.

You do not need to apply for Telephone Support Allowance because it is paid automatically to people who qualify. It is paid with your main weekly social welfare payment.

Who can avail of it?

To qualify, you must be getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance along with one of the following payments:

• State Pension (Contributory)
• State Pension (Non-Contributory)
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Blind Pension
• Disablement Pension (Incapacity Supplement)
• Deserted Wife’s Benefit

How much is the Telephone Support Allowance?

It is €2.50 a week, adding up to €130 a year. The Telephone Support Allowance is an additional sum paid on the same day and by the same method, as your main weekly payment.

How can I avail of it?

It is paid automatically to people who qualify. There is no application form.

If you think you qualify for TSA but haven’t received an automatic payment, you should contact the section in the Department of Social Protection that pays your main social welfare payment.