Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has confirmed that Fuel Allowance payments for the 2026/27 season will commence this week, with an estimated 24,100 households in Galway eligible for the support.

Fuel Allowance is a means-assessed payment designed to help eligible households with their heating costs during the winter months. The allowance will be paid to more than 465,000 households across the State for 28 weeks. That figures represents approximately 26% of all households.

The payment is made at the weekly rate of €38, or in two instalment payments of €532 each.

The scheme has been expanded this year to make it available to more households.

Since January 2026, people receiving the Working Family Payment who satisfy the relevant qualifying criteria have been eligible for the scheme. Currently, almost 50,000 Working Family Payment recipients qualify for Fuel Allowance.

In addition, a Budget 2026 measure means that people who move from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension into employment from 28 September 2026 will keep their Fuel Allowance for up to five years.

Minister Canney said: “Fuel Allowance is an important support for households with their heating costs during the winter months, and payments will commence this week for an estimated 24,100 households in Galway.

“The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more households to qualify, so I would encourage anyone who thinks they may qualify for Fuel Allowance to check their eligibility and make sure they are receiving the support available to them.”

People aged 66 and over do not need to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection to qualify, provided they satisfy the relevant means test.

The first instalment payment will be made this week, with the second instalment due in January 2027.

People do not need to reapply for Fuel Allowance each year if their circumstances have not changed and they continue to receive the same social welfare payment.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for Fuel Allowance is online at www.MyWelfare.ie.

Further information on Fuel Allowance is available at www.gov.ie/fuelallowance.