Pensioners in Northern Ireland affected by winter fuel support cuts will be receiving a one-off payment of £100.
Speaking in the Assembly today, the communities minister announced that £17 million had been found in Stormont’s latest monitoring round which would allow him to help affected households.
In July, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the entitlement to winter fuel payments in England and Wales would be restricted to those people receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits only.
The policy is expected to reduce the number of UK pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving some £1.4 billion this financial year.
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In August communities minister Gordon Lyons said that the cuts would also apply to NI as the Executive had “no additional resource” to diverge from the UK decision.
But speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said that additional funding would allow the Executive to make the one off payment.
The DUP MLA said he wanted to ensure every pensioner has support to “stay warm and safe” during the winter.
“The decision by the Labour Government to remove the winter fuel payment from pensioners who are not in receipt of pension credit or other benefits has left many of our people feeling anxious about how they will manage energy bills this winter,” he said.
He added: “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.”
The minister added that he will continue to make the case for the full re-instatement of the payment.
The minister said there will be no application process, as the department will automatically identify eligible individuals through existing records.