What help can you get paying your energy bills?

1. Household Benefits Package

The Household Benefits Package is a set of allowances to help towards the cost of running your home.

If you’re eligible for the Household Benefits Package, you could get:

• A monthly gas or electricity allowance of €35 per month (€1.15 a day), all year round
• A free TV licence, from the next renewal date of your licence

To get the Household Benefits Package you must:

1. Be living in Ireland full-time
2. Be the only person in your household to receive it
3. Have the electricity or gas bill in your name
4. Be aged 70 or over
5. Be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules. for ‘People aged under 70.’

How to apply

Apply for the Households Benefits Package online, by visiting the MyWelfare website.

If you can’t apply online, you can fill in the Household Benefit Package application form (pdf) and return it to the address listed on the back.

Find out more about the package and check if you qualify on Gov.ie.

2. Fuel Allowance

If you’re getting certain social welfare payments, you’ll qualify for the Fuel Allowance which helps with the cost of heating your home during the winter months.

Payments run 28 weeks from late September to April. If you apply later in the year, your payments will not be backdated.

3. Additional Needs Payment

The Additional Needs Payment is an extra payment that helps cover essential costs you can’t afford with your weekly income. You can use it to pay for fuel or electricity.

• You could qualify if you are on a low income or receiving social welfare.
• Each case is means tested, with household income, savings, expenses and the kind of assistance you need taken into account.
• The amount you get will depend on your situation. You can find income guidelines on Gov.ie.

How to apply

To apply for an Additional Needs Payment, you need to fill in a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1) form and post it to your local Community Welfare Service.

To help process the claim, you should have your PPSN, proof of identity, as well as documents to show your income, expenses and financial situation.

4. Insulation Grants Ireland

Formerly called the Warmer Homes Scheme, the SEAI offer fully funded energy upgrades for qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain welfare benefits.

The purpose of these grants are to help make your home more energy efficient, and reduce your gas and electricity bills. Upgrades offered under the scheme include:

• Attic insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• External wall insulation
• Internal wall insulation
• Secondary work such as lagging jackets, draught proofing & energy efficient lighting
• New heating systems and windows are occasionally recommended

How to apply

Before you apply, you must:

• Own and live in your own home
• Own a home built and occupied before 2006
• Receive one of the welfare payments listed on their website

You must also decide what kind of energy upgrades your home needs. For more information on the grants available and how to apply, visit the SEAI website.

If you are not eligible for the scheme, you can still apply for other home energy upgrades.

Other ways to save on your energy bills

Once you’ve found the right financial support, it’s worth looking at other ways you could make your bills cheaper.

1. Switch to a cheaper tariff

You could save up to €480 by switching to a cheaper gas & electricity tariff which could make a huge difference to your household bills.

Switching is easy and takes just a few minutes. If you haven’t switched in the last 12 months then it’s even more likely that you could make some big savings. Here’s how to switch your gas and electricity supplier.

2. Make your home more energy efficient

One of the best ways to cut your energy bills if you don’t qualify for support is to make simple changes in your home, and use less gas and electricity.

There are lots of easy things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient, without spending any extra money.

See our top energy saving tips to get started.