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OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR GUIDELINES TO AREA MANAGERS AND INSPECTORS INDEX Introduction Free Travel 2.1 General 2.2 Companies Operating the Scheme 2.3 Time Restrictions 2.4 Types of Travel Pass 2.5 Description of Travel Passes In Use 2.6 Qualifying Conditions Free Electricity Allowance 3.1 General 3.2 Qualifying Payments 3.3 Qualifying Conditions 3.4 Points of Note 3.5 How The Allowance Is Paid 3.6 Alternatives to FEA Free Telephone Rental Allowance 4.1 General 4.2 Qualifying Payments 4.3 Qualifying Conditions 4.4 Points of Note National Fuel Scheme 5.1 General 5.2 Payment 5.3 Qualifying Payments 5.4 Qualifying Conditions 5.5 Disqualifying Factors 5.6 Means Test 5.7 Administration 5.8 Smokeless Fuel Allowance 5.9 Urban Fuel Scheme 5.10 Saver Cases 5.11 Points Of Note 5.12 Payment In A Household Where There Are Several SW Recipients ◊ Appendix 1 Private Bus and Ferry Operators Participating In The Free Travel Scheme ◊ Appendix 2 Local Authority Housing That Provides Heating At A Subsidised Level INTRODUCTION Introduction Free schemes were introduced by the Department of Social Welfare to alleviate the financial burden on certain pensioners. - Free schemes cover the following areas and are mainly dealt with by Pensions Services Office - Free Travel ( introduced July 1967) - Free Electricity Allowance ( introduced October 1967) - Free TV Licence ( introduced 1968) - Free Electricity (Group) Allowance - Free Natural Gas - Free Bottled Gas Refill - Free Telephone Rental Allowance (introduced April 1978) - Free Butter Vouchers (dealt with by Oisin House Dublin) - Free Fuel Allowances (dealt with by the individual pension sections) Each of the above schemes is administrative i.e. not covered under legislation. For this reason there is no system of appeal as in other schemes. Any case can, however, be reviewed in the light of any fresh evidence produced. One of the qualifying factors for some of these schemes is that the claimant should be living alone. One thing to be borne in mind when dealing with the Living Alone Allowance, is that as there is no official definition of "Living Alone" each case is dealt with on its individual merits, when sent to a Deciding Officer for a decision. The following broad guidelines, regarding living alone, are used by P.S.O. at present. The basic criteria applicable is that the pensioner should be living alone and that the pensioner's accommodation is fully self contained and self sufficient. This means that the pensioner should have a separate entrance/exit, cooking/eating and lavatory/washing facilities. The exception to this is the "Overnight Stay Concession". The "Overnight Stay Concession" can be allowed in cases where the pensioner is old and infirm, and requires the presence of an overnight companion for security reasons. It also allows for the situation where a pensioner lives alone in his/her home for the majority of the day, then for security reasons alone sleeps elsewhere, returning again in the morning to his/her own home. If this concession is allowed the pensioner would still be deemed to be living alone for pension purposes. The concession is applicable only where the minder is staying with the pensioner on an overnight basis and has a permanent home elsewhere. If the minder's postal address or address for Social Welfare purposes is that of the pensioner, (s)he is considered to be permanently based there and the overnight stay concession cannot be applied. If the overnight stay concession is allowed for the purposes of the pensioner's LAA, the pensioner is normally allowed to retain their Free Schemes entitlement also. For Free Electricity Allowance purposes the pensioner's power supply should be separately metered and the electricity account should be registered in the pensioner's own name. (NOTE: If a claimant is not a registered consumer, Free Electricity Group Account Allowance can be payable) For Free Telephone Rental Allowance purposes the telephone should be physically located within the confines of the pensioner's accommodation and the telephone account should be registered in pensioner's own name. FREE TRAVEL 2.1 General 2.2 Companies Operating The Scheme 2.3 Time Restrictions 2.4 Types Of Travel Pass 2.5 Description of Travel Passes In Use 2.6 Qualifying Conditions Free Travel 2.1 General The purpose of Free Travel is to enable people who are living in the State aged 66 or over, or certain incapacitated people, to use public transport and some private bus and ferry services, free of charge. From July 1994 a widow(er), aged 60-65 years, who is in receipt of a Social Welfare payment and whose late spouse was at any stage in receipt of Free Travel, (not necessarily at the time of his/her death), is entitled, on application, to obtain a Free Travel pass him/herself, provided that up to the time of death the couple were permanently residing together and that (s)he fulfils the other qualifying conditions. 2.2 Companies Operating the Scheme Free Travel is available on the road and rail services of Bus Atha Cliath, Bus Eireann, Iarnrod Eireann ( including mainline, outer suburban, and Dart services). Note: Free Travel is not available on the Nitelink service. on the services outlined in Appendix 1 of this document. 2.3 Time Restrictions Unless a claimant holds an Unrestricted Travel Pass, (red in colour), they cannot use the following services at the times listed below. - Bus Atha Cliath and Bus Eireann city bus services, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in Dublin Cork and Limerick. - Bus Eireann long distance buses on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for up to 20 miles out from Dublin, Cork or Limerick. Those holding restricted passes, wishing to travel in the given areas, during the said times must pay for the first 20 miles. - Iarnrod Eireann have no time restrictions for Free Travel. - Dart services have no time restrictions for Free Travel. - Aer Arann--permanent residents entitled to 6 return flights or 12 single flights per year.(NOTE: inter-island air carriage is not covered by the concession). There is a discounted fare concession for ALL Free Travel Pass holders, including Northern Ireland concession travel pass holders. 2.4 Types of Travel Passes Restricted Free Travel Pass This is the general type of pass used. It is subject to all conditions and restrictions. Unrestricted Free Travel Pass This travel pass is subject to the conditions but none of the restrictions. It is only available to - A person, who is certified by the Health Board as being severely mentally handicapped. This person would have no real appreciation of the restrictions applicable with an Ordinary Travel Pass. - A person, either on Disability Allowance or Blind Person's Pension, who attends a long term rehabilitation course, recognised by the relevant Health Board. The course must be full time and must last a minimum of three months. The applicant must submit a letter from either Re-Hab or the relevant Health Board confirming his attendance and details regarding duration etc. of the course. - A person in receipt of Invalidity Pension who has received an exemption from rule 4 of the Invalidity Pension rules. This rule states that a claimant " shall not engage in work whether on his own account or on behalf of another person". This means that these people, have obtained an exemption, allowing them to take on work experience, in areas recognised by Invalidity pensions section, while still retaining their Invalidity pension. Companion Travel Pass A Companion Travel Pass enables the pass holder and any other person over the age of 16 who is accompanying him/her to travel free of charge. To qualify for a Companion Travel Pass a person must be (From Oct. 1990) A DA recipient who is blind or mentally handicapped. DA recipients on medical certification that (s)he is unfit to travel alone. (From April 1992) A person in Health Board approved residential care, who was previously in receipt of DPMA\DA, or who would otherwise satisfy the medical conditions and means test for DA, but for the fact (s)he is in residential care. (Certification must be provided by the relevant Health Board that (s)he is unfit to travel alone.) (From June 1993) An Invalidity Pensioner who is certified by the Irish Wheelchair Association or by a GP that (s)he is permanently wheel-chair bound. (From July 1994) All permanent wheelchair users, who are in receipt of a payment listed at ** below, or permanent wheelchair users who are aged over 18 years, and registered as being blind, with the National Council for the Blind/League of the Blind of Ireland, will be entitled, on application, to a Companion Free Travel Pass. Medical certification must be provided by the claimant from either the Irish Wheel chair Association or his/her doctor and, if applicable, the National Council/League of the Blind of Ireland. (From July 1995) All "Carees" being looked after by a recipient of Carers Allowance. (From July 1996) All blind and visually impaired children. (From June 1997) ALL blind people. This includes working people and people in receipt of Unemployment Assistance\Benefit. Medical evidence of blindness from Opthalmic surgeon to be submitted confirming blindness to degree required for DSP Blind Persons Pension, or alternatively,confirmation of registration as a Blind Person with the National Council\League of the Blind of Ireland. (From Sept.1998) Extended to ALL permanent ROI residents, aged 75 or over,who are medically certified as being unable to travel unaccompanied. aged 66 years or over and - certified by the relevant Health Board that they were previously in receipt of DPMA, and are medically certified by the Health Board that they are unfit to travel alone whether or not they are in residential care. AND ** Are now in receipt of one of the following payments - Old Age (Contributory or Non Contributory) Pension - Retirement Pension - Widow's (Contributory or Non Contributory) Pension - Invalidity Pension - Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance - Lone Parent's Allowance Prisoner's Wife's Allowance An Ordinary Garda Widow's Pension (From Dept. of Justice) Certain Social Security pensions/ benefits from another EU country or, from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral Social Security Agreement or from a non EU country which is part of the EEA. or - have been previously in receipt of Blind Person's Pension AND be in receipt of one of the payments listed at ** above. 2.5 Description of Travel Pass in Use. 2.6 Qualifying Conditions To qualify for Free Travel the claimant must - Be living permanently in the State AND - Be aged 66 or over OR - Be aged under 66 years and in receipt of - an Invalidity Pension/Benefit or equivalent payment for at least 12 months from a) Another EU country b) A country with whom Ireland has a bilateral Social Security agreement c) Current non EU (European Union) countries which are part of the EEA (European Economic Area) - Unemployability supplement or workman's compensation supplement for at least 12 months under the Department of Social Welfare's Occupational Injuries benefit scheme. - Disability Allowance. (People in Health Board approved residential care who are certified by their Health Board as having previously been in receipt of DPMA or who are certified by the Health board that they would satisfy the medical conditions and means test for DA may qualify for a Free Travel Pass.) Invalidity pension or Blind pension from the Department of Social Welfare. From April 1998 Recipients of Invalidity Pension,Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension, who hold a Free Travel Pass, are entitled to retain Free Travel on transfer to any other DSP payment (excluding Unemployment payments, Disability Benefit and Pre Retirement Allowance) From Sept.1998 Extended to ALL recipients of DSP Carers Allowance. OR - Aged over 18 years and be registered as a Blind Person with the National Council/League of the Blind of Ireland. NOTE: The countries with whom Ireland has a bilateral Social Security agreement are Austria, Canada, Australia, America, New Zealand, Quebec, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Non European Union countries which are part of the European Economic Union are Austria, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. 3 FREE ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE/FREE T.V. LICENCE 3.1 General 3.2 Qualifying Payments 3.3 Qualifying Conditions 3.4 Points Of Note 3.5 How The Allowance Is Paid 3.6 Alternatives To FEA Free Electricity Allowance/Free TV Licence 3.1 General Free Electricity Allowance provides a certain amount of free units of electricity to certain people who are aged 66 and over and also certain incapacitated people. The electricity allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 1,500 units of electricity a year. Those in receipt of Free Electricity Allowance automatically qualify for Free (Colour) Television Licence. A separate Electricity Allowance Scheme is provided for veterans of the War of Independence. For further details contact the Department of Defence, Veterans Section, Renmore, Galway. 3.2 Qualifying Payments A person may be entitled to the Free Electricity Allowance only if (s)he is in receipt of one of the following payments. If aged 66 or over - Old Age (Contributory or Non Contributory) Pension - Retirement Pension - Widow's (Contributory or Non- Contributory) Pension - Survivor's Contributory Pension (From October 1994) - Invalidity Pension - Deserted Wife's Allowance / Benefit - Prisoner's Wife's Allowance - Lone Parent's Allowance - Carer's Allowance - An Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice - A Social Security Pension from another EU country - A Social Security pension from a country with whom Ireland has a bilateral Social Security agreement.* - A Social Security pension from current non EU (European Union) countries which are part of the EEA (European Economic Area)* If aged under 66 - Invalidity Pension - An invalidity pension or benefit (or equivalent payment) for at least 12 months from another EU country or from a country with whom Ireland has a bilateral Social Security agreement, or from a non-European Union country which is a member of the European Economic Area.* - Disability Allowance. - Blind Person's Pension from the Department of Social Welfare. - Unemployability Supplement or Workman's Compensation Supplement with Disablement pension for at least 12 months under the Department's Occupational Injuries Scheme. - * See note at the end of Free Travel Section which lists these countries. 3.3 Qualifying Conditions To qualify for a Free Electricity Allowance a person must be - A registered consumer of electricity on the normal ESB supply known as the two part tariff. (If a person is not a consumer on the two part tariff they may be entitled to the Free Electricity Group Account Allowance.) - In receipt of one of the qualifying payments. - Living Alone or living with only - A dependent spouse - An invalid. (A medical cert must be produced to verify this fact). Person(s) who would qualify for the allowance in their own right i.e. an old age pensioner etc - Dependent child(ren). A dependent child is a child under age 18 or if in full time education a child up to age 22. If the child is 18 - 22 years a certificate from the school/college must be supplied. - A person who provides full time care and attention to the claimant, if (s)he is an invalid or semi-invalid. A medical certificate must be supplied to this effect. People in employment or in receipt of Unemployment Assistance/Benefit or Disability Benefit cannot be regarded as giving constant/full-time care and attention. - A person aged 66 years or over who do not receive one of the qualifying Social Welfare\Security Pensions, based on weekly means limit of (Max single rate of OACP + ADA + DCA rate in respect of each dependant child + 38.09 (30)) or (Max single rate of OACP + LAA + 38.09 (30)). 3.4 Points of Note - All people aged 75 or over, in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare\Security Pension, or who satisfy the Free Schemes means test, are eligible for Free Electricity Allowance, irrespective of who resides with them. - A widow(er), aged 60-65, who is in receipt of a Department of Social Welfare payment and whose late spouse was at any stage in receipt of FEA and FNGA, is entitled on application, to retain/regain the allowance, subject to the usual FEA conditions being satisfied, provided that up to the time of the spouse's death, the couple normally resided together. - From APRIL 1998: Recipients of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Persons Pension, who hold any Free Allowance(s), are entitled to retain the allowance(s) on transfer to any other DSP payment excluding UA/UB, DB and PRETA. 3.5 How the allowance is paid. Once the ESB has been advised by the Department to apply the allowance it is included on a claimant's ESB bill from the start of the next two monthly billing period. The allowance covers normal standing charges and - Up to 200 units of electricity in each two monthly billing period during the Summer. - Up to 300 units of electricity in each two monthly billing period during the Winter. - Up to 600 unused "free units" may be carried forward to the next billing period.** From the commencement of the October/November billing period, FEA recipients who also have Night Rate electricity meters, will have unused free electricity units (if available) offset against their Night Rate electricity usage. The allowance does not cover - the cost of installing an electricity supply - the extra standing charges applied to the Optional Day/Night tariff (e.g. for storage heating). If the Optional Day/Night tariff is used, the allowance covers day units only.(See also ** above.) 3.6 Alternatives to the Free Electricity Allowance The following are alternatives to the Free Electricity Allowance - Group account allowance - Free Bottled Gas Refill Allowance - Free Natural Gas Allowance Free Electricity Group Account Allowance If a claimant satisfies the conditions for receipt of FEA but is living in self-contained accommodation (i.e. a flat or apartment), in a building where there may be a number of separate meters operating from one ESB meter, and the registered consumer of the supply is a landlord, or where there are no separate meters, but the registered consumer is a landlord, that claimant may qualify instead for a Group Account Allowance. This allowance is paid by a book of monthly payable orders, which can be cashed at the claimant's Post Office and used to pay his/her electricity costs. Bottled Gas Refill Allowance If a person would qualify to Free Electricity or Free Natural Gas Allowance, but (s)he is not connected to either an electricity or a natural gas supply they may qualify for bottled gas refills instead. The allowance is paid in a book of 14 vouchers. One voucher can be exchanged for a cylinder of gas. The allowance does not cover the cost of buying or hiring empty cylinders or the cost of delivery. Free Natural Gas Allowance Free Natural Gas Allowance is paid to people who are connected to a Natural Gas supply as an alternative to Free Electricity Allowance. A claimant can only qualify to one of the payments and not to both. Free Natural Gas provides a certain amount of Free Natural Gas to certain people aged 66 or over or certain incapacitated people. The allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 2,460 kiloWatt hours (KWHs) of natural gas each year. Up to 967 unused KWHs of gas can be carried forward to the next billing period, if the claimant is paying on the reducing rate tariff. The allowance does not cover the cost of installing a Natural Gas Supply in the claimant's home. Qualifying payments are the same as those for Free Electricity Allowance. Qualifying conditions are the same as those for Free Electricity Allowance except that the claimant must be a registered consumer of Natural Gas on the Bord Gis domestic supply. ( Reducing, Double-Up, Discount, Economy, Super Saver or 50-50 Cashback rates). The allowance is applied to the claimant's gas bill from the start of the next two monthly billing period after the date on which the claim is received. A new claimant to Free Natural Gas should complete the NG1 form and return to his/her nearest Bord Gis Office. Bord Gis Eireann Public Offices Dublin - Dublin Gas, 24A D'Olier St; Dublin 2. Cork - Cork Gas, Emmet House, Emmet Place, Cork. Limerick - Limerick Gas, Dock Rd; Limerick. Waterford - Waterford Gas, Waterside, Waterford. Clonmel - Clonmel Gas, Waterford Rd; Clonmel. Free Television Licence If a person qualifies for Free Electricity/Natural Gas Allowance, a Group Account Allowance, or Bottled Gas Allowance, (s)he is entitled to a Free Television Licence. If a claimant is in receipt of the above allowances he may get his Free TV licence from the local Post Office. To obtain the same (s)he should bring with her/him to her/his local post office - His/her current television licence - His/her FS 3 (letter qualifying him/her to Free Electricity Allowance) or his/her ESB bill showing the Free Electricity Allowance in payment. - His/her pension or allowance book showing that (s)he is in receipt of Free Fuel Allowance or a letter from this Department or his/her Health Board confirming that a fuel allowance is in payment to him/her. (If (s)he is entitled to a colour licence) If the claimant is not a registered consumer of electricity or natural gas (s)he may still qualify for a Free Television Licence if (s)he fulfils the other conditions for receipt of a Free Electricity/ Natural Gas Allowances. (When completing the FEA1 form (s)he should tick Free Television Licence only in part 5.) FREE TELEPHONE RENTAL ALLOWANCE 4.1 General 4.2 Qualifying Payments 4.3 Qualifying Conditions 4.4 Points Of Note 4 Free Telephone Rental Allowance. 4.1 General This allowance provides free telephone rental to certain people aged 66 or over or certain incapacitated people. From 01.09.1993 the allowance also covers 20 free call units per billing period. The allowance covers the standard rental charge for a telephone line and instrument which amounts to 28.19 (22.20) every two months. The allowance also covers the rental on certain ancillary equipment such as an ampliphone, extra telephone socket, and indoor bell. The allowance does not cover the installation charge for the phone, some telephone call charges, and extra rental charges for coin boxes or extensions. The allowance will only be granted if the telephone is registered in the claimant's own name. If the claimant's house is divided into flats the allowance may only qualify to FTRA, if the telephone is located in the claimant's private apartment, and registered in the claimant's own name. 4.2 Qualifying Payments A person may be entitled to the allowance if (s)he is aged 66 or over and in receipt of - Old Age Contributory or Non Contributory pension - Retirement Pension - Widow's Contributory or Non Contributory pension - A Survivor's Contributory pension (from October 1994) - Invalidity pension - Deserted Wife's benefit or allowance - Lone Parent's Allowance/Prisoner's Wife's Allowance - Carer's Allowance - An Ordinary Garda Widow's pension. - Certain Social Security pensions from another EU country or a country with whom Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security agreement or a country which is not part of the EU but part of the EEA (See note at end of Free Travel section) Or if (s)he is aged under 66 and getting one of the following - Invalidity pension - An Invalidity pension/benefit or equivalent payment for at least 12 months from another EU country or from a country with whom Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security agreement, or from a non EU (European Union) country which is part of the EEA (European Economic Area). (See note in Free Travel section to refer.) - Unemployability Supplement or Workmen's Supplement paid with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months under the Department's Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme. - Disability Allowance. - Blind Person's pension 4.3 Qualifying Conditions To qualify for the allowance a claimant must - Have the telephone registered in his/her name - Be getting one of the payments listed above - People aged 66 years or over who do NOT receive one of the qualifying Social Welfare\Security pensions, based on the weekly means limit of (Max single rate OACP + LAA + 38.09 (30)) or (Max single rate OACP + ADA + DCA in respect of each dependant child + 38.09 (30)) - Living alone or only with - Dependent children under age 18 (or up to age 22 years if in full time education) AND/OR - People who are so incapacitated that they cannot get help in an emergency. ( A medical certificate must be provided to this effect.) AND/OR - An adult dependant aged under 66 years, for whom medical certification has been provided to establish that the dependant cannot get help in an emergency OR - An adult dependant aged 66 or over,( in this case,the medical certification of permanent incapacity may be in respect of either the claimant or the dependant) AND/OR - A person in receipt of any of the qualifying payments, once medical evidence has been provided as to the incapacity of the claimant, or the person with whom (s)he resides. - AND/OR - A person in receipt of a Carer's Allowance in respect of the full-time care and attention which they provide for the claimant. 4.4 Points of Note - Claimants aged 75 years or over in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare\Security pension, or who satisfy the Free Schemes means test, are eligible for FTRA, irrespective of who resides with them. The over 75 concession does not apply to residential care centres. - A widow(er) aged 60-65 years, who is in receipt of one of the following Social Welfare payments, - Retirement pension - Survivor's Contributory pension - Widow's Non-Contributory pension - Lone parent's allowance (Widowed persons) - Widows' pension or Dependant Widowers' pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Schemes. OR an equivalent social security payment from another EU country or a non EU country which is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or from a country with whom Ireland has a bilateral Social Security Agreement and whose late spouse was at any stage in receipt of FTRA, is entitled on application to retain/regain the allowance subject to the other FTRA conditions being satisfied. This is on condition that the couple normally resided together at the time of the spouse's death. - From April 1998: Recipients of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Persons Pension, who hold any Free Allowance(s) are entitled to retain the Allowance(s) they hold on transfer to any other DSP payment. NATIONAL FUEL SCHEME 5.1 General 5.2 Payment 5.3 Qualifying Payments 5.4 Qualifying Conditions 5.5 Disqualifying Factors 5.6 Means Test 5.7 Administration 5.8 Smokeless Fuel Allowance 5.9 Urban Fuel Scheme 5.10 Saver Cases 5.11 Points Of Note 5.12 Payment in a Household Where There Are Several SW Recipients National Fuel Scheme 5.1 General The Department of Social Welfare took over the administration of the National Fuel Scheme in April 1988. The scheme itself was also extended at this point in time. The scheme operates for 26 weeks commencing mid October and ceasing mid April. Free Fuel Allowance is an administrative scheme. It is not set out in legislation, (a statutory scheme). For this reason no right of appeal exists in the ordinary sense. If, however, the claimant can produce further evidence, that would effect the initial decision the case can then be re-examined. 5.2 Payment The rate payable is 6.35 (5) per week. An additional 3.81 (3) per week is payable to those people entitled to the Smokeless Fuel Allowance. Only one allowance is payable per household. In the case of pensioners payment is made by payable order. This will be included in the claimant's weekly pension payment, where the renewal run allows it, or by a separate book of orders. In the case of eligible UA recipients the relevant Local Office pays the allowance along with the unemployment payment. In the case of those in receipt of the following Health Board payments, the relevant Health Board pays the allowance usually in two instalments. The first payable before and the second after, Christmas. 5.3 Qualifying Payments To apply for a Free Fuel Allowance the claimant must be in receipt of - Old Age Contributory or Non Contributory Pension - Retirement Pension - Widow's Contributory Pension - Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance - Lone Parent's Allowance - Blind Pension - Invalidity Pension - Long-term Unemployment Assistance ( Including Smallholders ) - Pre Retirement Allowance ( PRETA ) - Disability Allowance - Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance - Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance - Special Department of Defence Allowance - Those in receipt of a Social Security Pension from another EU country. - Those in receipt of a Social Security Pension from a country with whom Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security agreement. - Those in receipt of a Social Security Pension from a non EU country which is part of the EEA. 5.4 Qualifying Conditions A person must be - unable to provide for his/her heating needs from his/her own resources. (A means test must be satisfied to fulfil this condition.) - living alone OR - living with only the following people - A dependent spouse/ partner - A dependent child. A dependent child is a child under the age of 18 years, or a child under the age of 22 years, if in full time education. If the child is 18 > 22 years a certificate must be produced from the relevant school/college verifying that (s)he is in fact a student. Other eligible people Short term Unemployment Assistance recipients A person who gives full time care and attention to the applicant, if the applicant is an invalid or semi invalid. A person who is in employment or in receipt of Unemployment Assistance/Benefit, cannot be regarded as giving full time care and attention, to the applicant. 5.5 Disqualifying Factors If an applicant has - access to his/her own turf - his/her heating needs provided for under a deed of transfer - heating supplied at a low cost by a Local Authority if living in a Local Authority house ( Appendix 2 lists the same ) (s)he will not then be entitled to Free Fuel Allowance. 5.6 Means Test An applicant for Free Fuel Allowance, and the members living in his/her household, cannot have a combined income of more than 38.09 (30) per week, in excess of Contributory Social Welfare pension rates. This includes the income from combined savings and\or investments. The following payments are not assessable as means - Child Benefit - Orphan's Contributory Pension - Orphan's Non - Contributory Pension - Fostering Allowance - Domiciliary Care Allowance - Paid by the Health Boards - Blind Welfare Allowance - Paid by the Health Boards - Mobility Allowance - Paid by the Health Boards - Earnings from rehabilitative work by recipients of DA 5.7 Administration Existing Free Fuel recipients. All existing Social Welfare Free Fuel recipients automatically receive the allowance at the start of the Free Fuel season. If it transpires that a claimant's circumstances have changed since the end of the previous Fuel Season his/her case should be reviewed. New Contributory Pensioners A claimant's entitlement to Free Fuel Allowance is decided, if possible on the basis of the relevant claim form. If this is not possible a Free Fuel claim form is issued to the claimant. Cases that are difficult to desk assess are sent to the Inspectors for their assessment of the situation. New Non Contributory Pensioners and Deserted Wife's Benefit In cases where the heating needs are provided for under a Deed of Transfer, Inspectors should state whether or not these conditions are being honoured. If the applicant has a turf bank, but can prove that the cost of saving the turf would exceed the 165.07 (130) payable as Free Fuel Allowance, (s)he may qualify to Free Fuel Allowance. People Transferring From One Eligible Payment to Another These applicants can automatically be re-awarded the Free Fuel unless there is an obvious reason not to, shown on their application form for the new pension. 5.8 The Smokeless Fuel Allowance (Smog Allowance) As part of the National Environment plan to combat smog in Dublin a Smokeless Fuel Allowance of 3.81 (3) pw was introduced from the start of the 1990/91 heating season. This allowance is paid in addition to the basic 6.35 (5) pw Free Fuel Allowance. The said allowance is paid only in the areas where there is a ban on the sale and distribution of bituminous coal. This area includes all of Dublin city and Dun Laoghaire, the built up areas of the county and adjacent areas including Little Bray. Those areas not covered in the scheme are as follows (Detailed maps are held at the relevant SW sections i.e. PSO) - The District Electoral Divisions of - Balbriggan Rural - Balbriggan Urban - Ballinascorney - Ballyboghil - Balscadden - Clonmethan - Donabate - Garristown - Hollywood - Holmpatrick - Kilsallaghan - Lusk - Newcastle - Rathcoole - Rush - Saggart - Skerries - Tibradden - The part of the DED of Swords - Lisenhall situated North of the Broad Meadow river - Part of the DED of Glencullen - Part of the DED of Bohernabreena Households in the eligible areas qualify to the Smog Allowance if - They already receive an allowance under the NFS - They are in receipt of short term UA UB or DB for at least 3 months and fulfil the qualifying conditions of the NFS - They are in receipt of FIS and are living alone or with persons who would not effect their entitlement to the NFS (see section dealing with qualifying conditions) 5.9 Urban Fuel Scheme (UFS) This scheme was disbanded when the National Fuel Scheme was extended in April 1988. Under the UFS Old Age Non-Contributory, Widows and Blind pensioners, regardless of their means, automatically qualified to the fuel allowance, provided they lived in the Local Authority area, or in a house provided by that Local Authority. 5.10 Saver Cases These are claimants who had their entitlement to UFS or the National Fuel Scheme (NFS) saved when the NFS was extended in April 1988. Claimants who received the fuel allowance under the UFS or the old NFS will retain their entitlements unless a change in their circumstances has occurred since 15.04.1988. 5.11 Points Of Note Pro-Rata Pensioners In order to establish whether a pensioner would qualify for this scheme apply the following rule. If the claimant is in receipt of a private pension or pension from another EU country add that pension, once converted, to the Social Welfare Pension. If the joint amount exceeds the maximum rate of the relevant Social Welfare Pension, by over 38.09 (30) per week, the claimant is not entitled to Free Fuel. EC Pensioners If the EC pension, (converted to IR), and any additional income is not over 38.09 (30) per week in excess of a comparative pension, and the other qualifying conditions are fulfilled, the claimant is entitled to Free Fuel. Conversion Rates for EC Pensioners The most favourable of the Oct - Dec or the Jan - Mar conversion rates should be used if the claimant applies before the end of December. If a claimant applies after December the conversion rate to use is the January to March rate. People in receipt of BRP and under 66 years A woman under 66 years in receipt of BRP is not entitled to Free Fuel Allowance. She also disbars anyone with whom she might live from receipt of the Free Fuel Allowance, as she does not qualify in her own right. A British pensioner applies for Free Fuel Allowance giving the household as himself and his spouse, who is under 66 years. Adult Dependent Allowance is always paid separately by the DSS to the relevant dependent. Coupled with this a woman can claim BRP on the basis of her own insurance from age 60 years. In order that the claim to Free Fuel can be decided, it must first be established, from the DSS, whether, the spouse is in receipt of ADA, or, a BRP in their own right. If the payment is ADA the household condition is satisfied. If the payment is a BRP in the spouse's own right, the household conditions are not satisfied. Deeds of Transfer If the claimants heating needs are covered under a deed of transfer, but this condition is not being complied with, an Inspector should outline the factual position when reporting on the case. Dependent Children If a dependent child reaches age 18 or 22 years, (whichever is applicable), during the fuel season the allowance is will stay in payment until the end of the season. Entitlement should be reviewed at the start of the next fuel year. Separate Payment Cases Free Fuel Allowance is legally payable to the person who holds the pension entitlement. A claimant's spouse/partner in receipt of separate payments is not legally entitled to free fuel. The spouse/partner can receive the free fuel in the following circumstances The claimant agrees that the allowance should be paid to the spouse/partner. If after investigation by the Inspector it is found that the allowance is not spent by the claimant on fuel the fuel allowance can then be made payable to the spouse/partner. Carers Persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance have no personal entitlement to Free Fuel. They do not, however, effect another households member's entitlement. 5.12 Payment in a Household With Several SW Recipients * Other pension is a pension payable from any other EU country or from a country with whom Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement or from a non EU country which is part of the EEA. APPENDIX 1 TRANSPORT OPERATORS PARTICIPATING IN FREE TRAVEL SCHEME (Except where otherwise stated, all of the transport operators listed below provide bus services). APPENDIX 2 Local Authority Housing that Provides Central Heating At A Subsidised Level A - Local Authority Housing. Ballymun Towers, Dublin 11. Cromcastle Court, Coolock, Dublin 5. Swansnest Court, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5. Greendale Court, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5. St. Elizabeth's Court, Dublin 7. Garden Court, Garden Lane, Francis St., Dublin 8. St. Michael's Estate, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Nos 1 - 39c Cornamona Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. B - The following addresses in Ballymun Street Name Numbers Balbutcher Lane 1 - 192 Balcurris Rd. 1 - 512 Coultry Rd. 1 - 378, Nos 1a, 32a, 63a, 94a, 125a, 156a. Sandyhill Ave. Shangan Ave. Sillogue Ave. The residents in Sandyhill Gardens and Coultry Gardens do not receive subsidised heating. C - The following addresses in Tallaght Street names Numbers Avonbeg Pk. 17 - 22, 24 - 28, Avonbeg Gardens 31 - 42, Nos 46 and 56, 61 -90 Avonbeg Drive 19 - 24, D - The following addresses in Dun Laoghaire Street names Numbers Beaufort, Glasthule 1 - 57 Rochestown Ave 3 - 52 E - The following addresses in Cork Street Name Numbers Deanrock Estate, Togher Shournagh Lawn 13 - 48 Owenacurra Court 1 - 72 Roseville Estate, Mayfield Mount Erne 1 - 26 Glenamoy, Pk 31 - 120 The Glen Errigal Heights 1 - 54 Comeragh Park 1 - 90, 121 -174 Arderin Way 79 - 114 F - Share Sheltered Housing in Cork Glendalough, Ard Mhaca, Gouganbarra, 6 Grenville Plce., 41/42 Shear St., Abbey St., Cork. Cork. Cork. Dun Ris, Chnoc Mhuire, Grattan St., Fair St., Cork. Cork. Ardfert, Teach Chillcre, Hattons Alley, Dyke Parade, Cork. Cork. Fuel Allowance can be paid, provided they fulfil the other qualifying factors, to a person living at the following Share Housing, as the residents pay toward the economic cost of the heating supplied Clochanbarra, Coach St., Cork. G - The following addresses in Limerick City Street Name Numbers Vizes Court 1 - 20 St. John's Square 1 - 6 (flats) H - The following addresses in Wexford Street Name Numbers Lower John Street 1 - 24 John's Gate Street 1 - 20
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Pas é seo a thugann cead do dhuine amháin atá 16 bliana d'aois nó níos sine, dul in éineacht leat saor in aisce nuair a bhíonn tú ag taisteal. Bíonn ort ceann amháin de na coinníollacha seo a leanas a shásamh le cáiliú le haghaidh Pas Saorthaistil Compánaigh: Sealbhóirí Pas Saorthaistil atá 66 bliain d'aois nó níos sine: - Tá tú idir 66 agus 69 bliain d'aois (na haoiseanna sin san áireamh) agus tá measúnú leighis déanta ort a thugann le fios nach bhfuil tú in ann taisteal leat féin, - Tá tú 70 bliain d'aois nó níos sine agus dhearbhaigh dochtúir nach bhfuil tú in ann taisteal leat féin, - Tá cúram agus aire lánaimseartha á gcur ar fáil duit ag duine a fhaigheann Liúntas Cúramóra ón Roinn seo, - Dhearbhaigh Cumann Cathaoireacha Rothaí na hÉireann nó do dhochtúir ginearálta gur úsáideoir buan cathaoir rothaí thú, - Tá tú dall nó tá radharc fíor-lag agat agus - sásaíonn tú na coinníollacha daille le haghaidh Pinsean na nDall nó - tá tú cláraithe mar dhall le Comhairle Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill nó le Conradh Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill. Sealbhóirí Pas Saorthaistil atá faoi bhun 66 bliain d'aois: - Tá Liúntas Míchumais nó Pinsean Easláine nó Pinsean Míthreorach agus Forlíonadh Éagumais á bhfáil agat, agus tú i ndiaidh do mheasúnaithe ag lucht leighis mar dhuine nach bhfuil in ann taisteal ina (h)aonar, - bhí tú ag fáil Liúntas Míchumais roimhe seo, nó - Tá tú dall nó tá radharc fíor-lag agat agus tá tú: - ag fáil Phinsean na nDall, nó - ag comhlíonadh an choinníll daille le haghaidh Phinsean na nDall, nó - tá tú cláraithe mar dhall le Comhairle Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill nó le Conradh Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill, - Tá tú ag fáil ceann amháin de na híocaíochtaí cáilitheacha thíos agus tá tú deimhnithe ag Cumann Cathaoireacha Rothaí na hÉireann nó ag do dhochtúir ginearálta mar úsáideoir buan cathaoir rothaí, - Tá cúram agus aire lánaimseartha á gcur ar fáil duit ag duine a fhaigheann Liúntas Cúramóra ón Roinn seo. Bíonn ort a bheith i dteideal Pas Saorthaistil a fháil i do cheart féin, le cáiliú le haghaidh pas compánaigh i bhfianaise an choinníll seo. Féach ar na coinníollacha saorthaistil ar roinn 2. Pas Saorthaistil Compánaigh, do leanbh lagamhairc: Tá leanbh lagamhairc i dteideal Pas Saorthaistil Compánaigh a fháil, má tá sé/sí faoi bhun 18 mbliana d'aois agus: - má shásaíonn sé/sí an coinníoll daille le haghaidh Phinsean na nDall, nó - má tá sé/sí cláraithe le Comhairle Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill nó le Conradh Náisiúnta na hÉireann do na Daill. Tuismitheoir nó Caomhnóir: Is gá duit Pas Saorthaistil Compánaigh an linbh a chur ar ais chuig an Rannóg Saorthaistil sa chás: - go dtagann feabhas ar radharc súl an linbh, rud a fhágann nach bhfuil an leanbh ag sásamh na gcoinníollacha thuas a thuilleadh, - nach bhfuil cónaí buan ar an leanbh sa Stát níos mó, - má athraíonn an leanbh a s(h)eoladh (nuair a chuirfidh tú an Pas Saorthaistil ar ais, gheobhaidh tú pas nua don leanbh agus an seoladh nua air). Níl cead ach ag an leanbh atá ainmnithe ar an bPas Saorthaistil Compánaigh é a úsáid. Níl cead aige/aici é a thabhairt do dhuine éigin eile chun úsáid a bhaint as. ÍOCAÍOCHTAÍ CÁILITHEACHA Baineann na híocaíochtaí seo leis an gcás má tá tú faoi bhun 66 bliain d'aois: - Pinsean Easláine, - Pinsean na nDall, - Forlíonadh Éagumais nó Cúiteamh Oibrithe in éineacht le Pinsean Míthreorach ar feadh 12 mhí ar a laghad (faoin Scéim um Shochair Dhíobhálacha Ceirde), - Liúntas Míchumais, - Íocaíocht Easláine nó íocaíocht chomhchosúil ar feadh 12 mhí ar a laghad, ó thír atá cuimsithe ag Rialacháin an CE nó ó thír a bhfuil Comhaontú Déthaobhach Leasa Shóisialaigh ag Éirinn léi.