Hi you can only apply for a fuel allowance if your unemployed for over 390 days (not exact on number of days but its roughly around 390). If you qualify you will only get the allowance between oct and march so go into your local social walfare office and ask about filling in the forms etc
You must be getting a Sw payment to get FA and VTOS is not a SW payment. However, if you were getting it prior to going on VTOS (i.e. on JA), then you retain it. You can't 'qualify' for it on VTOS.
Thank you for your reply's I was caring for family member until they went into full time care . Then went on a c. e. scheme on 12/8/08 fin up 26/6/09 due to illness went on certs fin cert 4/8/09 start claim that date in exchange .Start vtos on the 22/9/09 .