Over 400,000 homes to receive fuel allowance payments

The first payments of the Government's fuel allowance will be made this week.

The means-tested payment will be paid for 28 weeks to over 400,000 households across the State.

The allowance was introduced in the late 1980s as a way to help pensioners and long-term social welfare recipients with the costs of heating their homes over the winter months.

The scheme was broadened in last year's budget, in part due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Recipients are paid a weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two payments of €462 each.

In a statement confirming this year's fuel allowance plans, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the payment will play "a vital role in supporting hundreds of thousands of families with their heating costs".

Further information on the allowance is available at www.mywelfare.ie