2,400 families in Kildare to receive first Fuel Allowance and back payment today

Fianna Fáil TD Naoise Ó Cearúil has welcomed that 2,400 recipients on the Working Family Payment in Kildare will receive their first Fuel Allowance payment and any back payments today.

Announced as part of Budget 2026 by Minister Dara Calleary, the Fuel Allowance has been expanded to around 50,000 households nationwide in receipt of the Working Family Payment.

This is being backdated to 1 January 2026, meaning that those who were in receipt of the Working Family Payment prior to Jan 1st will today receive their first weekly payment of €38 and back pay of €380 – totalling over €400.

Welcoming the news for families struggling with energy bills in Kildare, Deputy Ó Cearúil said:

“I am delighted that Minister Dara Calleary has expanded the Fuel Allowance to those on the Working Family Payment. This will benefit an additional 2,400 households across the constituency, bringing the overall total of recipients of Fuel Allowance to 17,002.

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“The weekly Fuel Allowance payment of €38, along with back pay of up to €380 will make a real difference to working families across XX with their energy bills.” he said.

"Additionally, from September 2026, a person on Disability Allowance or Blind Pension will now be able to retain the Fuel Allowance for 5 years when they exit their payment for employment.

Concluding he said: “In Fianna Fáil, we are conscious of rising energy costs, and the expansion of the Fuel Allowance will help additional households with the cost of heating their homes.

“We are committed to supporting working families and this payment today will provide those who need it most with just that.”