Are you entitled to the Household Benefits Package?

In this time of economic misery, its necessary for you to claim all of your entitlements. Due to the nature of the Irish Welfare service, you may not be aware of these entitlements. For example, If you satisfy a number of conditions, you may qualify for the Household Benefits Package.

The Household Benefits Package is made up of:

• The Electricity Allowance
• The Natural Gas Allowance
• The Electricity (Group Account) Allowance
• The Bottled Gas Refill Allowance
• The Telephone Allowance
• The Free Television Licence.

Broken down:

The Electricity Allowance-
This covers up to 400 units of electricity in each two month billing period. It also covers the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy and VAT on the levy.

The Natural Gas Allowance-
Since 1 November 2009, you get €52 deducted from your gas bill every 2 months for the summer months. For gas used during the winter months, you get €111 deducted from your gas bill every 2 months. The summer months are from June to November. The winter months are from December to May. If you don't use your full allowance you can carry up to €150 to your next bill.

The Bottled Gas Refill Allowance-
If your home is not connected to an electricity/natural gas supply but you satisfy the conditions of the scheme, you can avail of the Bottled Gas Refill Allowance of €40.70 each month instead.  The Bottled Gas Refill Allowance is only available to people who do not have an electricity or natural gas supply.

The Telephone Allowance-
This is a payment towards your mobile phone or landline phone bill. You can get only one Telephone Allowance per household which can be used for either a mobile phone or landline but not both. If you use the Telephone Allowance for your landline phone, it is paid as a credit on your phone bill. If you use the Telephone Allowance for your mobile phone, you can use it to pay your mobile phone bill or to buy credit for your phone.

The Free Television License-
When you qualify for the Household Benefits Package, the Department issues you with a TV licence, and also notifies An Post of your entitlement to a free licence for as long as you are entitled to the Household Benefits Package.

Am I entitled to this package?
You may qualify for the Household Benefits Package if:
You are aged 70 or over
OR
You are getting Carers Allowance
OR
You are caring for a person who is receiving Prescribed Relative's Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance
OR
You are between 66 and 70 and are receiving

• State Pension (Contributory)
• State Pension (Non Contributory)

• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice and Law Reform or
• An equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement

and live alone or only with certain excepted persons - see 'Excepted persons' below.
OR
You are under 66 and are receiving:

• Invalidity Pension
• Blind Pension
• Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)
•  Disability Allowance
• An equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement

and live alone or only with certain excepted persons.

If you believe that you might qualify for this package, and want help with pursuing it, feel free to contact you local Sinn Féin councillor.

Kelly, AnthonySinn Féin
3 Glenbrook, Wexford Town
Mobile phone: 087 1361785
Email: cllrakelly@eircom.net

Mythen, JohnnySinn Féin
Ballyorril, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Mobile phone: 087-9847278