Fuel allowance must be provided to family carers
Fuel allowance must be provided to family carers - The Labour Party
Labour’s Social Protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has today called for all recipients of the Carer’s Allowance to be automatically given access to the Fuel Allowance.
Deputy Wall’s call comes following the publication of the Family Carers’ Scorecard with figures showing that only 4.4% of those on Carer’s Allowance are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance.
Deputy Wall said:
“Family Carers were led to believe by government that if they were receiving Carer’s Allowance then they would also get the Fuel Allowance. This is not case as figures now show only just 4.4 are receiving the payment, or 4,599.
“This is entirely shocking as Government patted themselves on the back when they made the announcement of making Carer’s Allowance a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance.
“Many family carers have gone through the onerous administrative nightmare of applying for Fuel Allowance only to be told they do not qualify.
“Given the rising fuel costs and increased energy needs of caring households I am calling for the Fuel Allowance to be extend to all those on Carer’s Allowance. No other hurdle should be placed on caring households to get this vital payment and government must act on this now.”