Thousands in Ireland could be earning an extra €130 with little known social welfare payment

Thousands of people across Ireland could be availing of a little known social welfare payment of €130 per year.

According to Citizen's Information, the Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is an extra weekly payment for people on certain social welfare payments who are also getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance.

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What is the Telephone Support Allowance?

The Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is an extra weekly payment for people on certain social welfare payments who are also getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance.

It can help people living alone with the cost of communications or a home alert system.

You 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.

How to qualify for Telephone Support Allowance

To qualify, you must be getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance along with one of the following payments:

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• State Pension (Contributory)
• State Pension (Non-Contributory)
• Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Bereaved Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Blind Pension
• Disablement Pension (Incapacity Supplement)
• Deserted Wife's Benefit

The weekly rate of Telephone Support Allowance is €2.50 which adds up to €130 per year. The Telephone Support Allowance is an additional sum paid on the same day and by the same method, as your main weekly payment.

You can find out more about the Telephone Support Allowance here