How to apply for €420 bonus towards electricity or gas bills

Even as spring approaches, electricity and gas bills can be very high during the colder months, with certain people able to qualify for a monthly allowance that will help them

16:04, 25 Feb 2026Updated 19:04, 25 Feb 2026

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary(Image: Collins)

Households may be unaware that are eligible for a bonus worth €420 a year towards their electricity or gas. The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bill and the TV licence. Here’s everything you need to know.

• Thousands of people across Ireland are eligible for a €420 annual bonus through the Household Benefits Package, which provides crucial support for electricity or gas bills.
• The scheme offers monthly payments of €35 that can be used towards either electricity or natural gas allowances, plus a free television licence.
• Anyone aged 70 or over living in Ireland full-time can qualify without means testing or needing a State pension. Only one person per household can receive the benefit.
• To get the Household Benefits Package, you must: Be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round), be the only person in your household getting the HBP, be aged 70 or over or be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules and have the electricity or gas bill in your name if you are applying for to have an Electricity or Gas Allowance paid as a credit on your bill.
• If you are under 70 you can get the Household Benefits Package if you are also getting a qualifying social welfare payment. If you are under 70 and living with your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can get the HBP if you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment and: you are getting an increase in your qualifying social welfare payment for them (see list of qualifying social welfare payments below), or they are getting their own qualifying social welfare payment listed below, or they are getting a social welfare payment not listed below and they satisfy a means test.
• Widowed people or surviving civil partners aged 60-65 may qualify if their late partner previously received the package and they meet certain payment criteria. If you were under 60 when your spouse or civil partner died, you can get the Household Benefits Package when you turn 60 if you meet the conditions.
• The package includes two allowances: €35 monthly for electricity or gas (applicants must choose one), and a free TV licence from the next renewal date.

You can find out more about the scheme here.