Q.  I’m getting a social welfare payment weekly and find it difficult to manage my household bills. Is there a way to make more regular payments for my ESB and phone bills?

07.12.09

If you are getting your social welfare payment through the post office, you can take part in the Household Budget Scheme. Under the scheme, you choose a fixed amount to be deducted from your payment each week and this goes towards paying your bill from the ESB or Eircom. You can also use it for local authority rent or mortgage payments. You can take part in the scheme if you are getting a Jobseeker’s, Back to Work or Education payment. The scheme is also available to those getting a social welfare Pension, or a Carer’s, One-Parent Family, Disability Allowance, Supplementary Welfare or Farm Assist payment. You can choose to have up to a quarter of your social welfare payment deducted. The minimum deduction you can choose depends on the type of bill; for Eircom and ESB, for example, the minimum is €3.50.

The scheme is operated by An Post. You can get an application form in your local post office or online at www.anpost.ie . You complete this form for each eligible bill you want to pay and send it to: Household Budget Scheme, Freepost, An Post, GPO, Dublin 1. If you want to change the amount you pay each week, you can do so by completing a form with the new amount and returning it to An Post. You can also get further information from An Post online at www.anpost.ie , at the address above or by phone on 1800 70 71 72. If you need help with budgeting and managing your financial situation, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides free advice. There is useful information on the MABS website, www.mabs.ie , or you can contact the MABS Helpline at 1890 283 438. Many credit unions also provide a similar bill payment system.

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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