New employment support takes effect for people leaving disability payments

People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension into employment can now retain their Fuel Allowance for up to five years under a change which took effect this month.

The measure was announced as part of Budget 2026 and came into effect from September.

People receiving Disability Allowance or Blind Pension are also being made eligible for the Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment.

Fuel Allowance is currently paid at a rate of €38 per week during the annual fuel season.

The changes are aimed at reducing the risk of people losing important secondary supports when moving from a disability-related payment into employment.

The Government says the measures form part of efforts to remove financial barriers for people with disabilities who wish to enter or return to the workforce.