Winter fuel payments: NI pensioners could have payments restored

BBC News NI political editor, Enda McClafferty, reported that a significant number of pensioners in Northern Ireland may see a reinstatement of their winter fuel payments following a government U-turn. Approximately 250,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland had their payments cut last year as a cost-saving measure under the new Labour government. However, the government has now established a new payment threshold, with the majority of pensioners set to receive £200, while those over 80 will receive £300.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons expressed a need for more clarity regarding how pensioners affected by previous cuts to winter fuel payments will have their benefits reinstated. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Finance to address this issue. The payments are expected to be made for the upcoming winter season, but pensioners earning over £35,000 will not qualify for the payment.

Last year, many pensioners in Northern Ireland missed out on the winter fuel payment following a decision to means-test the payments, following the Westminster decision. This move, implemented shortly after Labour came into office, faced criticism from various groups, including unions and pensioner charities. A funding increase of £17 million during a Stormont monitoring round allowed Lyons to secure money for a £100 one-off payment to support pensioners impacted by cuts to winter fuel support.

The Winter Fuel Payments were established in 1997 to assist individuals above the state pension age with their winter heating expenses. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last year that pensioners in England and Wales would no longer be eligible for the payment from winter 2024 onward. This decision resulted in Northern Ireland having to follow suit, limiting payments to those on benefits and pension credit

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