What is the Household Benefits Package in Ireland?

The Household Benefits Package (HBP) is a set of financial supports for people aged 70 and over, and for people under 70 who are on certain long-term social welfare payments. The package includes: an electricity or gas credit (approximately €35 per month, applied directly to your utility bill), and a Free Television Licence (worth €160 per year). The package is designed to help with the cost of home utility bills.

Who qualifies for the Household Benefits Package automatically?

Everyone aged 70 or over who is habitually resident in Ireland qualifies automatically — regardless of income. You do not need to be on any social welfare payment. You do not need to pass a means test if you are 70+. However, you must apply — it is not automatically applied to your bills. Only one HBP per household, even if two people over 70 live together.

Who qualifies for the Household Benefits Package under 70?

If you are under 70, you must be receiving one of these qualifying payments: Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance, or Incapacity Supplement. You must also be living alone or only with a qualifying dependant (dependent children, a person who is also on a qualifying payment, or your spouse/civil partner). A means test may apply depending on your specific circumstances.

What does the electricity/gas credit cover?

The electricity allowance is applied as a credit of approximately €35 per month (€420 per year) directly to your electricity account. Alternatively, if you use natural gas as your main fuel and do not have an electricity account, you can have the credit applied to your gas bill instead. The credit appears on your utility bills as a DSP credit — you do not receive cash. It reduces your bill by the credit amount each month.

What is the Free Television Licence?

The TV licence element of the HBP means your annual television licence (€160 in 2026) is paid by the Department of Social Protection directly to An Post/RTÉ on your behalf. You must have a TV in your home to use this element. You apply for it together with the rest of the package. If you already paid a TV licence this year, you may receive a refund for any months remaining when your HBP is approved.

Can I get the Household Benefits Package if I live with family?

If you are under 70: you generally must be living alone or only with qualifying dependants. If you live with a working adult child, for example, you may not qualify. If you are 70+: the income of others in the household does not affect your eligibility for HBP — there is no means test for over-70s. However, there is still only one HBP per household — if two over-70s live together, only one HBP is awarded.

Can I get both the Household Benefits Package and Fuel Allowance?

Yes. HBP and Fuel Allowance are separate schemes. Many pensioners and people on long-term disability payments receive both. HBP gives you monthly electricity credits and a free TV licence. Fuel Allowance gives you €33/week for 28 weeks (Oct-April) as a cash payment toward heating fuel. The conditions for each are assessed separately — qualifying for one does not automatically give you the other.

Is the Household Benefits Package means-tested?

For people aged 70 and over: No means test — income does not matter. For people under 70: a means test may apply, and you must be on a qualifying payment. The qualifying payment itself acts as a proxy means test in most cases (payments like DA and Invalidity Pension are themselves means-tested or contribution-based). Under-70 applicants who are not on a qualifying payment cannot receive HBP regardless of income.

How do I apply for the Household Benefits Package?

Complete form HB1 (available at post offices, Intreo offices and gov.ie) or apply online through MyWelfare.ie. For people aged 70+, you need proof of age and your utility account details (electricity or gas account number). For under-70s, include evidence of your qualifying social welfare payment. Send the completed form to the HBP section at DSP. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. The credit is then applied to future utility bills.

What happens to my Household Benefits Package if I go into a nursing home?

If you move into long-term residential care (nursing home), the HBP stops — it is intended for people living at home. If the stay is temporary (e.g. rehabilitation after a hospital stay, planned short-term care), you may be able to retain HBP temporarily. Contact DSP when your accommodation situation changes. If you return home, you can reapply. The Fair Deal scheme (Nursing Homes Support Scheme) is a separate arrangement that does not include HBP.

Household Benefits Package 2026 — Electricity credit and free TV licence

Household Benefits Package in Ireland 2026

The Household Benefits Package (HBP) gives eligible households a monthly electricity credit of approximately €35 (applied directly to your electricity or gas bill) and a free television licence worth €160 per year. Total value: approximately €580 per year. People aged 70 and over qualify automatically with no means test. People under 70 must be on a qualifying payment such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Carer’s Allowance.

Reading time: 6 minutesLast updated: June 22, 2026

HBP 2026 — Quick facts

Electricity credit: €35/month (€420/year)
TV licence: €160/year (free)
Total annual value: ~€580/year
Over-70 means test: None — automatic qualification
Under-70 requirement: Qualifying long-term payment
Can combine with Fuel Allowance?: Yes
HBPs per household: One only
Apply at: Intreo / MyWelfare.ie / Post office (form HB1)

Two tracks to qualification

Track 1: Aged 70+

Age 70 or over
Habitually resident in Ireland
No means test
No qualifying payment required
Must apply with proof of age

Track 2: Under 70

Must be on a qualifying payment
Must live alone or with qualifying dependants
Means test may apply
Habitually resident in Ireland

Qualifying payments for under-70s

Qualifying payment	Notes
Disability Allowance	Most common under-70 qualifier
Invalidity Pension	Long-term illness PRSI payment
Blind Pension	People with certified severe visual impairment
Carer’s Allowance	Full-rate Carer’s Allowance (not half-rate)
Incapacity Supplement	Paid with Disablement Benefit
Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance	Legacy payment

JA, JB, DA (under-70 without another qualifying condition) and Carer’s Benefit do NOT qualify for HBP under the under-70 track. If you are under 70 and on JA, you cannot receive HBP — check if Fuel Allowance applies instead (after 15 months on JA).

How the electricity credit works

The electricity credit is not paid to you in cash. Instead:

DSP registers you with your electricity supplier (e.g. ESB Networks, Electric Ireland, etc.)
A credit of approximately €35/month appears on your electricity bill
If your bill is lower than €35, the credit carries forward to the next bill (no cash refund)
If you switch electricity provider, you must notify DSP to update your account details
Natural gas alternative: if you use gas as your primary fuel and have no electricity account, the credit can be applied to your gas bill instead

Household composition for under-70s

Under-70 applicants must live alone or only with people in these categories:

A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who also receives a qualifying payment (or is over 70)
Dependent children under 18 (or under 22 in full-time education)
A person who is themselves eligible for HBP
A carer providing full-time care to you

If an adult working person (e.g. adult child, working partner) lives in the same household and is not on a qualifying payment, you will NOT qualify for HBP under the under-70 track.

HBP vs Fuel Allowance — what is the difference?

Feature	Household Benefits Package	Fuel Allowance
What you get	Electricity credit (€35/month) + free TV licence	€33/week for 28 weeks (Oct–Apr) or €462 lump sums
Annual value	~€580	€924
Paid how	Credit on utility bill + direct TV licence payment	Weekly payment or lump sum to your bank account
Year-round?	Yes — 12 months	No — 28-week heating season only
Over-70 automatic?	Yes (no means test)	No — must apply and pass means test
Can combine?	Yes — can receive both

Application walkthrough

Get form HB1
Available from your local Intreo office, post office, or download from gov.ie. Alternatively, apply online at MyWelfare.ie if you have an account.
Complete the form
Provide: your PPS number, date of birth, address, electricity or gas account number (MPRN or GPRN, found on your utility bill), and evidence of your qualifying payment (for under-70s). For over-70s: include proof of age (passport or birth certificate).
Submit to DSP
Post or deliver to your local Intreo office. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. DSP will then notify your electricity/gas supplier to apply the credit going forward.
TV licence confirmation
DSP will send you a letter confirming your TV licence is registered. You do not receive a physical licence card — the payment is made directly. If An Post visits, your name will be on the exemption register.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

This page reflects Household Benefits Package rates and conditions for 2026. Electricity credit amounts may vary slightly by supplier billing cycle.

Information Accuracy — This guide has been independently researched and reviewed using official Irish government sources available on the publication date. Government schemes, payment rates, eligibility rules and legislation may change over time. Before making financial, legal or welfare decisions, always confirm the latest information directly with the relevant Irish authority.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting, helping immigrants navigate Irish tax and benefits.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026 · About this site