They won't give me winter fuel allowance

rebel fighter

Hi I'm back again! I was self employed and closed the business down in July 2011. I have been unemployed since and recieved weekly supplementary welfare for 14months in which time I went through a roller coaster ride with social welfare. My claim was closed 3 times but I kept fighting them to get my entitlement. Eventually I got approved Job Seekers Allowance and qualified for the Back to Education Allowance as I'm in college now. I recently applied for fuel allowance however today I recieved a response from social welfare stating that I will not be paid fuel allowance as I have not been unemployed for 390days. What an absolute joke. How am I going to afford to keep myself warm this winter. Do they care?

ABajaninCork

You have to be unemployed and receiving benefits for 15 months (390 days). When in 2011 were you finally receiving your benefits?

Looking at this link: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/extra_social_welfare_benefits/fuel_allowance.html

If you're on BTEA, then I'm not sure you can get fuel allowance anyway, but might be worth asking again.

edellc

without sounding harsh as i feel you are just having a rant, but you keep warm the same way as the rest of us that are unemployed and dont get fuel allowance....ware an extra layer of clothes, thermals are great and keep heating to a to the coldest times of the day and night

tony81

Some suggestions to keep warm-
Visit friends and Family more often.
Share accommodation instead of living alone.
Take up jogging.
Collect firewood. Ignite.
Wear layers of clothing.
Plenty of hot drinks.
Use a smaller room as your living room (easier to heat)

rebel fighter

Nope not having a rant as you put it Edellc but as you mentioned the word rant I'll give you more facts. Energy prices have increased across the board. 186euro does'nt go far considering 40euro is gone automatically on maintenance each week that leave me with 146euro, then its a choice between food or fuel. The choice has to be food. There is also the cost of transport to college. 146euro is going nowhere! So, wrapping up in a few layers is what I am doing at the moment. Point is, I have been unemployed since July 2011 it is now October 2012. My job seekers allowance was approved from May 2012 in September due to problems with a social welfare inspector who kept delaying and closing my claim. I suppose this is just another cost saving excercise by social welfare. One less fuel allowance to pay. I remember in the 80's recession growing up as a child in Ireland within a single parent family. We had to chop up our furniture in order to stay warm in the freezing cold winter and there was Charles Haughy spending 9,000pounds on french shirts while preaching to all that we are living beyond our means!

edellc

I completely agree with u op my partner unemployed since 2010 me since 2011 and we get no fuel allowance as they messed up paperwork, and I am a 70's child growing up in the 80's when only had a supersire in the kitchen and hot water bottles so I know where you ate coming from

But due to you being on btea you can't get it, you really cant do right for doing wrong

If your renting apply for rent allowance that will ease the burden of monies if you own can you rent a room out at all

cee_jay

This is not a forum to have a rant about social welfare. The conditions are set for receipt of fuel allowance, if you don't meet them, you don't get it. SW do not single out individuals to save money.
Thread closed as answer has been given to original question.