CashNews.co
State pensioners in Northern Ireland are set to receive a one-off £100 payment to help with heating bills after the Winter Fuel Payment was cut for millions.
Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Communities, criticised the Government’s decision to make the benefit means-tested but acknowledged that Northern Ireland would need to comply.
Last week, however, Mr Lyons announced that £17 million had been secured in Stormont’s latest monitoring round to support households impacted by the cut.
In an effort to ensure that every pensioner has support to “stay warm and safe” during the winter, Mr Lyons told the Northern Ireland Assembly that a one-off £100 payment will be distributed to households no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
He said: “I believe this initiative reflects my commitment to fairness, compassion, and responsibility towards our older population.
“My officials are now working at pace to prepare and bring forward the necessary legislation and to finalise arrangements.
“The payment will be made before the end of March 2025, however I am working closely with officials to deliver this as soon as possible.”
To ensure a “smooth and efficient distribution of payments”, Mr Lyons said here will be no application process.
Instead, the department will automatically identify eligible people through existing records.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300, became means-tested for the first time this year. State pensioners will only qualify for the benefit if they receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit.
It is estimated that about 249,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland will be affected by the eligibility criteria change this year.