Communities Minister has confirmed that pensioners
in Northern Ireland will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this
year after the government announced a u-turn on eligibility
restrictions yesterday.
In a statement to the Assembly today, Minister Lyons said he had
engaged with Executive colleagues to reinstate the payment in
Northern Ireland and the necessary legislation would be in place
by the end of July.
Pensioners on an income of, or below, £35,000 will be entitled to
the payment of £200 - rising to £300 for the over 80s - although
a payment will be made to all pensioners. Those not eligible have
the option to opt out of the payment or will have the payment
recovered through HMRC.
Minister Lyons said, “I know that many of our pensioners
are still anxious and worried about what yesterday's statement
means for them. Therefore, I have acted quickly, to provide
clarity and certainty about what will happen to the Winter Fuel
Payment in Northern Ireland.
“Since yesterday's announcement my officials have been
engaging with officials in the Department for Work and Pensions
(DWP) to understand the impact for Northern Ireland. I also met
with MP, Parliamentary Secretary
(HM Treasury) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (DWP) along with
the Finance Minister .
“Today I have engaged with Executive ministers on the
re-instatement of the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern
Ireland.
“My officials are continuing to work with DWP and HMRC
officials to determine the number of NI pensioners impacted by
this announcement, particularly the number of pensioners who
exceed the £35,000 threshold.”
Last July, the Labour government restricted eligibility for
Winter Fuel Payments to pensioner households receiving Pension
Credit or certain other income-related benefits, a decision
strongly opposed by Minister Lyons and the Executive.
Executive funding of £17 million secured by Minister Lyons last
October ensured a one-off payment of £100 was made for winter
2024/25 to pensioners affected by the changes.
Minister Lyons continued, “Almost 250,000 payments were
issued, as promised, to most Northern Ireland pensioners by the
end of March 2025.
“While this one-off payment helped to support pensioners
last winter, I know that many of them remained anxious and
worried about their energy bills this winter and beyond.
“I therefore welcome Treasury's announcement yesterday to
reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment to everyone over State Pension
age with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year.
“This increased threshold means that no lower or
middle-income pensioners will miss out.”
Minister Lyons also warned of possible scams in the wake of the
announcement stating payments will be made automatically, as with
previous WFPs, and no one will be asked for their personal
details.
Minister Lyons concluded, “Pensioners do not need to do
anything to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
“If anyone gets a suspicious email or text from GOV.UK,
the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for
Communities asking for bank details, they should report it to
Action Fraud. They should not respond or click on any
links.”
Notes to editors
- The Ministerial Statement on Winter Fuel Payments can be
found at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/ministerial-statement-minister-gordon-lyons-mla-update-winter-fuel-payments
