More than 360,000 people and families have been approved for heating aid for the 2026/2027 season. The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) says it has already paid out more than €44m.

The aid for the whole season is €321.95, nearly €11 more than last year. Last winter 337,945 households received it.

About 16,000 more applications are still waiting to be processed. People could apply until 2 November. The aid covers the heating season from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

It is paid in two instalments. The first, €128.78, covers November and December and must be paid no later than the end of the month after the approval order is issued. The second, €193.17, covers January to March 2027 and is due by 31 January 2027.

Under a Council of Ministers decision, the most vulnerable households with no income at all got the full amount in one payment. The ministry says the aim is to give them support in time for this heating season.

People and families qualify if their average monthly income over the six months before they applied does not exceed the heating income limit set for them individually.

Everyone who gets heating aid this season is also in the target groups of the "Inflation cheque to compensate the most vulnerable groups for rising fuel and basic food prices" programme. Under it, the Social Assistance Agency pays a one-off €50 automatically because of higher fuel prices, and people do not need to apply. Payments began in early October.