O'Brien urges people to apply for Free Fuel and Back to School Allowances
With the closing date for this year's Free Fuel and Back to School Allowances rapidly approaching, local Independent Cllr, Sean O'Brien, is urging people to complete their application forms now.
The closing date for the Free Fuel Allowance is September 25, and the Back to School Allowance closes five days later, on September 30.
tThe local Cllr is reminding all eligible applicants for free fuel that they can pick up their application forms from the Social Welfare office in Castle Buildings, Tullamore; apply online, or call to the Citizens Information Office in the Bridge Centre. "I also have forms and applicants can contact me on 086 3892854 or by email at: seanobrientullamore@gmail.com and I can assist with the applications" outlined Cllr O' Brien.
The Free Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment, and applicants on certain Social Welfare payments are automatically eligible if that is their only income. Cllr O'Brien has reminded all prospective applicants that there is a separate Application Form for those aged 70 or over. "The payment is €33 per week which will be included in your weekly Social Welfare payment, or you can also ask for the payment to be paid in two lump sums and there is a form available to change from a weekly payment to two lump sums" said the Cllr.
Meanwhile, full information details and application forms for the Back to School Allowance are now available on the website www.welfare.ie and Cllr O'Brien says this year there is an extra €100 to help parents cope with the additional cost of living.
Applicants must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment and be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child. It is available for children aged 4 to 17 years old for Primary and Second Level schools and also for those aged 18-22 and returning to Second Level School. The rate of payment for those aged 4-11 years is €260 and for those 12 years old and over it is €385. The relevant website is www.gov.ie/bscfa and the email address is bscfa@welfare.ie and the telephone number is 071 9193318" advised the local Cllr.