It's almost a week into the New Year, and many households are continuing to feel the crunch amid high gas and electricity bills after the Christmas holidays.
The government announced a variety of additional supports as part of Budget 2023 including for those who are on lower rates of payments. A total of €23.4 billion was allocated to the Department of Social Protection, and the thousands recently received a cash boost with major changes to social welfare payments with energy credits are also due to be paid out this month.
However, for those who are struggling there are also two payments that not everyone may be aware that they can receive; the Household Benefits Package and the Additional Needs Payment. Here's everything you need to know about these two payments.
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Household Benefits Package
The Household Benefits Package is available to people with the cost of their electricity or gas bill and the TV licence of €160
To get the Household Benefits Package (HBP), you must:
Be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round)
Be the only person in your household getting the HBP
Have the electricity or gas bill in your name (if you are applying for an Electricity or Gas Allowance)
Be aged 70 or over
Be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules for ‘People aged under 70’ set out below.
For people under the age of 70 and living with your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can get the HBP if you are getting 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 rate of payment for your electricity or gas bill is €1.15 per day, it is paid monthly, and only one HBP is payable per household. The package is available to everyone over 70, and it is not means tested.
For those aged between 66 and 70, you may get the package if you meet the necessary conditions.
You may also qualify 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). You can learn more about the Household Benefits Package including how to apply, here.
Additional Needs Payment
The Additional Needs Payment is for people that have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. It is also available to those on a lower income and who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment.
You can apply for the Additional Needs Payments for:
- the increased cost of fuel and electricity
- essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles and replacing household appliances and furniture
- assistance with deposits for private rented accommodation
- furniture, bedding and other items if you are setting up a home for the first time
- funeral costs
- recurring travel expenses such as for hospital appointments or visiting relatives in hospital or prison
- food, clothing or shelter in the aftermath of a fire, flood or other emergency event
- other additional exceptional needs as they happen
You can learn more about the Additional Needs Payment including how to apply here.
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