Fuel Allowance Payment Dates 2026/27
€38 a week, paid on your usual payment day that week. If you take 2 lump sums, the first is paid that week too.
The Fuel Allowance is not paid on a day of its own. It is added to your main social welfare payment, on that payment's usual day, for the 28 weeks of the season. So the date you get it depends on which payment you are on.
When your first Fuel Allowance payment lands
| First payment | If your main payment is |
|---|---|
| Fri 2 Oct 2026 | State Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory) |
| Wed 30 Sep 2026 | Disability Allowance |
| Thu 1 Oct 2026 | One-Parent Family Payment |
| Thu 1 Oct 2026 | Jobseeker's Transitional Payment |
| Your usual day | Carer's Allowance, Working Family Payment, Jobseeker's and other payments: the day is set by your claim, so check MyWelfare or your award letter |
If you are not on a social welfare payment, for example if you are over 66 and qualify on income alone, it can be paid into your bank account or collected at the post office.
All 28 weeks of the 2026/27 season
Citizens Information says the Fuel Allowance is "usually paid from the end of September to April each year for 28 weeks". If this season runs the usual 28 weeks, the last week starts on Monday 5 April 2027. That is our arithmetic from the start date, not a published end date. Weeks with a bank holiday are marked: a payment due on the holiday is paid the working day before.
| Week | Starting | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | w/c Mon 28 Sep 2026 | |
| Week 2 | w/c Mon 5 Oct 2026 | |
| Week 3 | w/c Mon 12 Oct 2026 | |
| Week 4 | w/c Mon 19 Oct 2026 | |
| Week 5 | w/c Mon 26 Oct 2026 | October Bank Holiday Mon 26 Oct 2026: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 6 | w/c Mon 2 Nov 2026 | |
| Week 7 | w/c Mon 9 Nov 2026 | |
| Week 8 | w/c Mon 16 Nov 2026 | |
| Week 9 | w/c Mon 23 Nov 2026 | |
| Week 10 | w/c Mon 30 Nov 2026 | |
| Week 11 | w/c Mon 7 Dec 2026 | |
| Week 12 | w/c Mon 14 Dec 2026 | |
| Week 13 | w/c Mon 21 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day Fri 25 Dec 2026: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 14 | w/c Mon 28 Dec 2026 | St Stephen's Day (substitute) Mon 28 Dec 2026: a payment due that day comes a working day early; New Year's Day Fri 1 Jan 2027: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 15 | w/c Mon 4 Jan 2027 | |
| Week 16 | w/c Mon 11 Jan 2027 | |
| Week 17 | w/c Mon 18 Jan 2027 | |
| Week 18 | w/c Mon 25 Jan 2027 | |
| Week 19 | w/c Mon 1 Feb 2027 | St Brigid's Day Mon 1 Feb 2027: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 20 | w/c Mon 8 Feb 2027 | |
| Week 21 | w/c Mon 15 Feb 2027 | |
| Week 22 | w/c Mon 22 Feb 2027 | |
| Week 23 | w/c Mon 1 Mar 2027 | |
| Week 24 | w/c Mon 8 Mar 2027 | |
| Week 25 | w/c Mon 15 Mar 2027 | St Patrick's Day Wed 17 Mar 2027: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 26 | w/c Mon 22 Mar 2027 | |
| Week 27 | w/c Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday Mon 29 Mar 2027: a payment due that day comes a working day early |
| Week 28 | w/c Mon 5 Apr 2027 |
Over 28 weeks at €38, that is €1,064 (our arithmetic: 28 × €38).
Weekly, or 2 lump sums
You can take it weekly with your payment, or as 2 lump sums, "usually September and the following January each year". To switch, fill in the Change the Payment Frequency form "at least one month before the first instalment is due".
Lump sums are not an option if you get the Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Gateway, Community Employment, Supplementary Welfare Allowance or the Working Family Payment.
Who gets it
You must be 66 or over, or under 66 and on a qualifying payment, pass a means test, and live alone or only with certain people. Only one Fuel Allowance is paid per household. If you get the Working Family Payment, you get the Fuel Allowance without applying, as long as no one else in the house gets it. The full rules are in our Fuel Allowance guide.
Check what else you can claim, free →
Common questions
When does the Fuel Allowance start in 2026?
The 2026/2027 season starts the week of Monday 28 September 2026. You get it on your usual payment day that week.
How much is the Fuel Allowance in 2026?
€38 a week. Over a usual 28-week season that is €1,064.
Can I get the Fuel Allowance as a lump sum?
Yes. You can choose 2 lump sums, usually in September and the following January. The first lump sum is paid the week the season starts. Change how you are paid at least one month before the first instalment is due. Lump sums are not available on Working Family Payment, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Community Employment, the Rural Social Scheme, Tús or Gateway.
Is the Fuel Allowance backdated?
No. If you apply after the season starts, it will not be backdated. Apply before, or as soon as you qualify.
Do I need to apply for Fuel Allowance every year?
No, as long as your circumstances stay the same and you keep getting the same social welfare payment.
Do I get Fuel Allowance with Working Family Payment?
Yes, if no one else in your household gets it and your heating is not included in your accommodation. You do not need to apply.
Other payment dates
- Child Benefit payment dates
- Domiciliary Care Allowance payment dates
- State Pension payment dates
- Disability Allowance payment dates
- One-Parent Family Payment payment dates
- Christmas payment dates & the Christmas Bonus
- All social welfare payment dates & the bank holiday checker
Source: Citizens Information, Fuel Allowance, read 27 September 2026. Payment days are those confirmed at source on our payment dates page. We are independent and take no money from any bank, advertiser or government body.