More people in County Louth will be eligible for the Fuel Allowance from next week, according to Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly.
Deputy Butterly said: “Fine Gael is working to put money back in your pocket, and this is just one of many ways the government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting those who are most in need.
The Fuel Allowance is a welcome weekly payment of €38 for households as a contribution towards their heating costs between September and April each year.”
A total of 2,083 Working Family Payment recipients in County Louth will now become eligible for the Fuel Allowance under the new rules.
The extension of the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of Working Family Payments comes into effect next week and will be backdated to January. This means that 50,000 additional households will now receive the Fuel Allowance.
The newly eligible families will receive backdated payments of up to €380 on Thursday, 12th March, together with their weekly Working Family Payment.
From January 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance was increased by €5 a week to €38, giving a total per recipient of €1,064 each year.
This expansion recognises the realities facing low income working parents and reinforces the Government’s commitment to ensuring that work is rewarded, families are supported, and no child grows up in poverty. It is a strong, sensible step that provides real relief exactly where it is needed most.
As a result of today’s announcement, over 470,000 households are now being supported by the Fuel Allowance.
I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply for the allowance, which will go a long way in supporting households in Louth, Deputy Butterly concluded.
