Minister Troy welcomes start of Fuel Allowance payments to over 9500 households in Westmeath

This year’s Fuel Allowance is set to ensure people can heat their homes with peace of mind as over 9500 households in Westmeath are expected to benefit from the payment this winter.

Today Monday, 28 September, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, announced the start of the Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2026/27 season.

Payments will commence this week for over 465,000 households nationwide, representing one in four households, and are paid at a weekly rate of €38 or two instalment payments of €532 each.

Minister Robert Troy welcomed the announcement saying, "Fuel Allowance is a vital support for households across Westmeath facing higher heating costs over the winter.

“It will make a real difference for older people, carers, and those on fixed incomes, ensuring they can keep their homes warm during the colder months."

The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more people to qualify. Since January 2026, people receiving the Working Family Payment who satisfy the relevant qualifying criteria have been eligible for the scheme. Almost 50,000 Working Family Payment recipients qualify for Fuel Allowance.

Minister Troy continued, “The cost of keeping the home warm can place significant pressure on a family's weekly budget. Fuel Allowance helps meet these costs and ensure that people can heat their homes with greater peace of mind.

"Minister Calleary expanded eligibility for the scheme in Budget 2026,so that more households can benefit from this support. Fianna Fáil's is committed to ensuring that those who need help with their energy costs can access it.”