Offaly people encouraged to review their entitlements to supports in New Year

GEASHILL based Junior Agriculture Minister Pippa Hackett and councillor in Edenderry Municipal District, Mark Hackett, have issued a joint message for people to review their entitlements to supports in light of changes to schemes.

Speaking during the time between Christmas and New Year, Minister Hackett said: ”This Government is very aware that some people are facing very real challenges in areas from home energy, to housing, to health. Many schemes have been reviewed in recent months with the criteria for eligibility widening from as early as 2nd  January. This is an excellent time for people to review their eligibility for schemes they didn’t previously qualify for.”

Councillor Mark Hackett continued “I am particularly glad to see a new means test for the Over 70’s Fuel Allowance which is expected to see over 80,000 additional households qualify for a payment for the first time. The Fuel Allowance is a very important, targeted support to keep people warm in their homes. Another important change is to the means test for the Farm Assist payment with a doubling in the amount of income that can be derived from agri-environmental schemes (for example: Glas, ACRES) and counted in assessing means. As a result of this measure, €5,000 can be disregarded from January. Both small measures on paper but with the potential to make big changes in people’s lives. Another significant change for families is the increase in the Working Family Payment threshold by €40.”

Minister Hackett added “As a Green Party member I support free universal contraception for all and am delighted that the next step towards this objective, the inclusion of 26 year old women rolls out from 2nd  January. That means that all women from 17 to 26 years are eligible for this very comprehensive scheme from the new year, with a scheduled expansion to age 30 years in September 2023.”

Both Green Party public representatives mentioned the extension to those eligible for participation on Community Employment Schemes to spouses, civil partners or cohabitants of Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients.

Cllr Mark Hackett said “Some expansions of schemes see an extension of protections or opportunities: The CE scheme is one example, another is the new category of ‘vulnerable customers’ to include those in receipt of Fuel Allowance, Jobseekers' Allowance for over six months, Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Carers Allowance.   Vulnerable customers must be placed on the most economical tariff by their suppliers: Make sure to get in touch with your utility company if you are in these categories as this change does not automatically apply.”

“These are only some of many schemes that are changing and I recommend people use the holiday down-time to review what might apply to them. Citizen’s Information, both the website and helpline, is an excellent and regularly updated resource and of course anyone in Laois or Offaly is welcome to contact my office for more information also” added Minister Hackett.