Changes in fuel allowance means test leads to case backlog
Department of Social Protection says 13,000 claims have yet to be processed, but payments will be backdated
A surge in claims for the fuel allowance from pensioners has led to a backlog of 13,000 cases.
The government relaxed the means test for over-70s in last year’s budget to help them deal with the surge in gas, oil and electricity bills. The move allowed a much larger group of pensioners to submit claims for the payment, which is worth €924 per year.
New figures from the Department of Social Protection show that there ...