ALERT: People eligible for little-known Social Welfare top-up payment worth €130
Thousands of people are eligible for the extra payments if they satisfy a number of criteria
Thousands of people across Ireland are eligible for a little-known top-up Social Welfare payment worth up to €130.
Many people are unaware they are eligible for Telephone Support Allowance which could add to their weekly Social Welfare payment.
According to Citizen's Information website, the Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is an extra weekly payment for people who are also getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance.
The payment is designed to help people pay their phone and internet bills. It could also be used to pay for a home alert system.
People do not need to apply for Telephone Support Allowance because it is paid automatically to people who qualify. It is paid with your main weekly social welfare payment.
Who can claim?
People must meet three conditions to claim the Telephone Support Allowance. You must be getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance along with one of the following payments:
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
Invalidity Pension
Disability Allowance
Blind Pension
Disablement Pension (Incapacity Supplement)
Deserted Wife's Benefit
The allowance is paid at a rate of €2.50 a week, which adds up to €130 a year.
How to apply
You do not need to apply for the Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) because it is paid automatically to people who qualify. There is no application form.
If you think you qualify for TSA but haven’t received an automatic payment, you should contact the section in the Department of Social Protection that pays your main social welfare payment.