Amid the ongoing Iran crisis, energy costs have risen sharply, leaving families across Ireland concerned about household expenses, reports The Mirror.
While the government is rolling out a fuel support package in response, there are already existing schemes to help with costs, reports The Mirror.
One such support is the Household Benefits Package (HBP), which assists with electricity or gas bills as well as the TV licence, reports The Mirror.
Thousands of people across Ireland are eligible for a €420 annual benefit through the Household Benefits Package, providing essential help with energy bills, reports The Mirror.
What is the Household Benefits Package?
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) offers financial assistance towards your electricity or gas bills, and also covers your Free Television licence, reports The Mirror.
The scheme provides monthly payments of €35, which can be used for either electricity or natural gas costs, alongside a complimentary television licence, reports The Mirror.
You do not need to live alone to qualify for the Household Benefits Package, and the utility bills do not have to be in your name. However, only one person per household can claim the Package, reports The Mirror.
How to qualify for the Household Benefits Package
To qualify, you must:
- Be aged over 70
- Be aged 66–70 and receiving a state pension
- Be aged 66–70 and not receiving a state pension but pass a means test
- Be under 70 and receiving a comparable Social Security Pension/Benefit from another country
- Be under 66 and receiving Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Persons Pension, or Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Benefit
- Be over 60 and receiving a Garda Widows Pension
- Be widowed or a surviving civil partner aged 60–65 whose late spouse or civil partner received the Household Benefits Package
- Be receiving Carer’s Allowance for someone you live with and care for, reports The Mirror
What will you be asked about?
Living situation: If you live with someone you care for, you must provide their PPS Number
Relationship details: You will need to provide your relationship status and possibly your partner’s PPS Number
Electricity/gas and TV licence details:You must provide your electricity MPRN or gas GPRN, and possibly your Television Licence Reference number
Payment details: You must provide your bank account or post office details for receiving the allowance, reports The Mirror
What is covered by the Household Benefits Package?
There are two components:
Allowance 1
Electricity Allowance (€1.15 per day)
or
Gas Allowance (€1.15 per day)
Allowance 2
Free Television Licence, reports The Mirror
How is the Allowance paid?
The Allowance is deposited into your nominated bank account or post office. Payments are made on the first Tuesday of each month. If collecting from the post office using your Public Services Card, you have 90 days to collect it, reports The Mirror.
Other benefits
Through the Household Benefits Package, you can receive the Electricity or Gas Allowance along with the Free Television Licence, reports The Mirror.
You can find more information about the scheme here, reports The Mirror.
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