Its the first week of the winter fuel payments.
The means-tested fuel allowance will be paid to over 400 thousand households for the next 28 weeks at a weekly rate of 33 euro, or 2 lump-sum payments of 462 euro.
The Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says the fuel allowance will play a 'vital role' in helping pensioners and welfare recipients heat their homes over winter.
A single person over 70 can have means of €512 per week, while a couple can have means of €1,024 per week to be eligible. In addition, the amount of savings disregarded in the Over 70s means test has been increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
In the case of a couple where one person is under 70 and one person is over 70, they will be assessed under the Over 70s means test criteria. Minister Humphreys says she has made further changes to allow more people qualify for the fuel allowance.
