It works for most long-term payments, including the State Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's.
Quick facts
- Cost
- Free
- Run by
- An Post
- Limit
- 25% of your weekly payment
- Minimum per utility
- €5 a week
- Setup time
- About 28 days
- Locall
- 1800 70 71 72
How it works
"The Household Budget Scheme is a scheme that helps people getting certain social welfare payments to spread the cost of some household bills over the year. Under this scheme, a fixed amount is deducted from your social welfare payment each week."
"The scheme is operated by An Post and in order to qualify, you must be getting a specified social welfare payment and your payment must be paid through your local post office. The Household Budget Scheme is free of charge."
What you can pay
"Local authority rent and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contributions", and "ESB Bord Gáis Eir Airtricity Postmobile (prepaid mobile phone services) Personal Microcredit Pilot Scheme ( It Makes Sense loans )".
"However, you cannot have more than 25% of your total weekly social welfare payment deducted under this scheme." "The minimum weekly payment to any utility is €5."
Setting it up and stopping it
Fill in a Household Budget Deduction Instruction Form for each bill, from the post office, and post it Freepost to An Post. "It will take about 28 days to process your request to have deductions made from your social welfare payment."
"To cancel a deduction you must give 2 weeks written notice to An Post (see address below)." Council rent deductions need the council's agreement to stop.
Common questions
What is the Household Budget Scheme?
A free An Post scheme that deducts a fixed weekly amount from your social welfare payment to pay certain bills like rent, ESB and Bord Gáis.
How much can be deducted under the Household Budget Scheme?
Up to 25% of your total weekly social welfare payment, with a minimum of €5 a week per utility.
Can I use the Household Budget Scheme if my welfare goes into a bank?
No. Your payment must be paid through your local post office.