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Q. I am a pensioner and I get the Household Benefits
Package. What will the recent changes to this scheme mean to me?
28.08.11
There are a number of changes to the value of the Household
Benefits Package from September 2011. There are no changes in the
qualifying conditions.
The annual value of the Electricity Allowance is being reduced from
2,400 units a year to 1,800 units. That means you are now entitled
to 300 free units in each two-monthly billing period. If you do not
use all your free units, up to 1200 unused free units may be carried
forward between each billing period. The allowance continues to
cover the standing charge and the PSO levy.
The value of the Electricity (Group Account) Allowance is being
reduced from €43.80 to €35.80 a month. The Telephone Allowance is
being reduced from €21.41 plus VAT each month (€311 a year) to
€18.36 plus VAT a month (€267 a year). If you have a hearing or
vision impairment, the allowance also covers the cost of renting a
special telephone, subject to availability.
There is no change in the Free Television Licence. Also, the Fuel
Allowance is to be standardised at €20 a week from September 2011.
There will be no additional allowance for living in a smokeless
area.
Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741
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