The Irish government announced a one-off payment of €400 towards the bill, which is a part of Budget 2025, to certain social welfare recipients to support them with household bills. This payment mainly aims to provide those individuals who are hostile with the cost of living.
The payment will be automatically issued to individuals who are receiving specific special welfare benefits such as Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, and Blind Pension. Those caretakers who are receiving the Career’s Support Grant will also receive this one-off payment. So if you are an Irish resident and eligible for the Household Benefits Package (HBP), then a support from the Department of Social Protection designed to help you with the cost of running your home.
€404 Social Welfare Payment Towards Bills Announced
The Household Benefits Package is created to support people in covering their cost of electricity or gas bill, which also offers them a TV license at of cost. But only per person in the family can receive the payment if he or she fulfills the eligibility criteria, as it is mainly available to people who are over the age of 70.
But in some circumstances, you can receive the benefits under the age of 70 if you meet the additional criteria, including residency. This valuable package is designed to help alleviate the financial strain of household expenses that are significant amidst rising energy costs and the cost of living.
Overview of Social Welfare Ireland
| Article On | €404 Social Welfare Payment Towards Bills Announced: Here’s the Full List of Eligible Families |
| Country | Ireland |
| Department | Department of Social Protection |
| Program Name | Household Benefits Package (HBP) |
| Beneficiaries | Mainly under the age of 70 |
| Amount | €404 |
| Payment Frequency | one-off payment |
| Category | Financial Aid |
| Official Website | citizeninformation.ie |
Eligibility Criteria for the Household Benefits Package
To get the HBP, you have to meet certain requirements:
- You have to live in Ireland (all year round).
- You must be the only person who is receiving the household benefits package in your family.
- Your age must be 70 or over.
- If your age is under 70, then meet the additional criteria that are set for people under 70.
- If you are applying for the Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance as a bill credit, then you have to be the registered consumer or the name on the bill for the chosen service.
- It is noted that you do not need bills to be in your name if you want to apply to receive a gas or electricity allowance funded as cash to your post office account or bank.
Individuals who are below the age of 70
Those individuals who are under the age of 70 can get the Household benefit package in some circumstances, like if they are eligible for the social welfare payment.
And those individuals who are below 70 and living with their partner, they can receive the household benefit allowance if they are receiving an eligible social welfare payment, and:
- You are receiving a raise in your eligible social welfare payment them so see the list of qualifying social welfare payments described below, or
- You are receiving your qualifying social welfare payments that are recorded below, or
- “You are receiving a social welfare payment that isn’t listed here, but it requires you to satisfy a means test.
If you are between the ages of 66 and 70:
- State Pension (non-contributory)
- Deserted wife benefit
- State Pension (contributory)
- Carer’s allowance (payment can be half rate or full rate), but the condition is that you are essential to be living with the individual you are helpful for.
- A regular Garda Widow’s Pension by the government Department responsible for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
- Widow’s or surviving Civil Partner’s (contributory) pension.
- A pension or other social security payment from a country that either falls under the social security coordination rules of the European Union or has a special agreement with Ireland regarding social security.
Individuals between the ages of 66 and 70 who are not currently receiving the specified payments may qualify for the Household Benefits Package (HBP) if they complete a means test:
If you are under 66, then Qualifying social welfare payments:
- Disability Allowance
- Incapacity Supplement (minimum 12 months) with Disablement Pension (minimum 12 months)
- Invalidity Pension
- Blind Pension
- Carer’s allowance (payment can be half rate or full rate), but the condition is that you are essential to be living with the individual you are helping.
- A pension or other social security payment from a country that either falls under the social security coordination rules of the European Union, or has a special agreement with Ireland regarding social security
Widowed people or surviving civil partners
You may be entitled to the Household Benefits Package (HBP) as a widow or surviving civil partner if your age is between 60 and 65 years old and your deceased spouse or civil partner was receiving HBP benefits before their death.
It is noted that you both must have lived together when the HBP was first issued, and you must be receiving one of the following payments:
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory) Pension
- If you are receiving a Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension by the Scheme of Occupational Injuries Benefits
- A pension or other social security payment from a country that either falls under the social security coordination rules of the European Union or has a special agreement with Ireland regarding social security.
- One-Parent Family Payment (Widows/Widowers)
- A regular Garda Widow’s Pension by the government Department responsible for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
If you were below the age of 60 when your spouse or civil partner died, then you can get these HBP benefits when you reach the age of 60, if you fulfill the requirements.
FAQs
What allowance is covered by the Household Benefits Package?
Two allowances covered by HBP:
Electricity Allowance or Natural Gas Allowance
Free television License
Who is eligible to get the HBP?
HBP offers payment to people who are over the age of 70. But in some circumstances, you can receive the benefits under the age of 70 if you meet the additional criteria, including residency.
Do you need to be living alone to be eligible for the HBP?
No. you do not need to live alone, but only one individual per household can get the payment.
