Many people are eligible to claim a little known cash boost.
Thousands could be receiving €130 a year in the form of the Telephone Support Allowance. It is an additional weekly payment for people on certain social welfare payments that many don't know about.
It m ay be the perfect remedy for the cost of living crisis. Here's everything you need to know about who can claim and how to apply.
Read more: Interactive map lets terrified tenants share eviction fears as ban set to be lifted
What is 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 is intended to help people living alone with the cost of communications and/or a home alert system and is paid by the Department of Social Protection.
Who can claim?
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 it?
In 2023, the weekly payment for the Telephone Support Allowance is €2.50. This adds up to an additional €130 each year.
The allowance is paid on the same day and by the same method as your main weekly payment.
How to apply
As the Telephone Support Allowance is paid automatically to people who qualify, you do not need to apply for it. There is no application form.
If you think that you may qualify 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.
For all the information, you can click here.
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