Thousands eligible for cost of living package aimed at slashing energy bills
The Household Benefits Package helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bill and the TV licence
Thousands of eligible people all over Ireland are in line to receive a package that can help with the cost of living as Christmas approaches.
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bill or the TV licence, all of which can add up leave you with a big hole in your pocket.
Thankfully, you do not have to be living alone to get the package, although only one person in a household can get it, with some other eligibility criteria also needing to be met.
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While you can receive the necessary package if you are aged 70 or over, you do not need to be on a state pension and the package is not means tested, with people under 70 also able to apply, but they must meet criteria.
From how to apply to who is eligible, here is everything you need to know about the Household Benefits Package:
What is covered by the Household Benefits Package?
There are two allowances in the Household Benefits Package:
- Allowance one: Electricity Allowance of €35 monthly (€1.15 per day) or Natural Gas Allowance of €35 monthly (€1.15 per day)
- Allowance two: Free Television Licence
How can I qualify for the Household Benefits Package if I am 70 or over?
To get the Household Benefits Package, you must:
- Be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round)
- Be the only person in your household getting the HBP
- Be aged 70 or over
- Be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules for ‘People aged under 70’ set out below
- Have the electricity or gas bill in your name if you are applying for to have an Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as a credit on your bill
You do not need the bill to be in your name if you are applying to get the Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as cash to your bank or post office account, or if the bill is in your landlord’s name.
What about if I am under the age of 70?
If you are under 70 you can get the Household Benefits Package, if you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment.
If you are under 70 and living with your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can get the HBP if you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment and:
- You are getting an increase in your qualifying social welfare payment for them (see list of qualifying social welfare payments below), or
- They are getting their own qualifying social welfare payment listed below, or
- They are getting a social welfare payment not listed below and they satisfy a means test
You can live with other adults (who are not your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner) and get the HBP.
Qualifying social welfare payments for people under 70
You are between 66 and 70:
- State Pension (Contributory)
- State Pension (Non-Contributory)
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for.
- An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
If you are aged between 66 and 70 and not getting one of the payments above, you may qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you pass a means test - see ‘The means test' below.
Qualifying social welfare payments if you are under 66:
- Disability Allowance
- Invalidity Pension
- Blind Pension
- Incapacity Supplement (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)
- Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for.
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
How can I apply for the Household Benefits Package?
You can apply online for the Household Benefits Package using MyWelfare.ie, if you have a MyGovID account.
If you cannot apply online, you can fill in the Household Benefit Package application form (pdf) and return it to the Household Benefits Package section. For more information head here.
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