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05 Mar 2026

Leitrim families urged to check eligibility as hundreds added to fuel allowance scheme

Leitrim families are being urged to check if they are eligible to avail of the scheme, which is worth over €1000 a year

Fuel Allowance

Fuel Allowance

Reporter:

Eoin Gallagher

05 Mar 2026 11:33 AM

Over 340 additional families in Leitrim will be eligible for the governments winter Fuel Allowance from next week.
The scheme is aimed at helping with the cost of fuel to heat homes with 50,000 additional households now receiving the payment, bringing the total number to over 470,000 households.
The extension of the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of Working Family Payments comes into effect next week and will be backdated to January.
The newly eligible families will receive backdated payments of up to €380 on Thursday, 12th March, together with their weekly Working Family Payment.
From January 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance was increased by €5 a week to €38, giving a total per recipient of €1,064 each year.
As a result of today’s announcement, over 470,000 households are now being supported by the Fuel Allowance.
“I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply for the allowance, which will go a long way in supporting households in Sligo and Leitrim “, concluded Minister Frank Feighan.
Eligibility for the scheme can be checked online, with those over 66 and those availing of social Welfare potentially eligible.

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