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Winter fuel payments: NI pensioners could have payments restored Winter fuel payments: NI pensioners could have payments restored
(about 1 hour later)
The announcement means the majority of pensioners will get the payment of £200, with £300 to go to those over 80.The announcement means the majority of pensioners will get the payment of £200, with £300 to go to those over 80.
Tens of thousands of pensioners in Northern Ireland could be in line to have their winter fuel payments restored after a government U-turn.Tens of thousands of pensioners in Northern Ireland could be in line to have their winter fuel payments restored after a government U-turn.
The payment to about 250,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland was cut last year in a cost-saving measure by the new Labour government.The payment to about 250,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland was cut last year in a cost-saving measure by the new Labour government.
But the government has now set a new threshold for payments.But the government has now set a new threshold for payments.
This means the majority of pensioners will get the payment of £200, for those under 80, and £300 for those over 80.This means the majority of pensioners will get the payment of £200, for those under 80, and £300 for those over 80.
However Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said that "much more clarity is needed" on how pensioners affected by previous winter fuel payment cuts will have the benefit reinstated.
The minister said his officials were holding discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Finance on Monday afternoon about the issue.
Lyons says "much more clarity is needed"Lyons says "much more clarity is needed"
The money will be paid for the incoming winter.The money will be paid for the incoming winter.
But those pensioners earning more than £35,000 will not qualify for the payment.But those pensioners earning more than £35,000 will not qualify for the payment.
Many pensioners in Northern Ireland missed out on the winter fuel payment last year after Northern Ireland followed a Westminster decision to make the payments means tested. Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the U-turn was "good news".
Lyons added that it would ultimately be a decision for the Stormont Executive to reinstate the payments for those in Northern Ireland, but said he would be making that recommendation to other ministers.
He said he had conversations with Finance Minister John O'Dowd and officials from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on Monday afternoon.
Many pensioners in Northern Ireland missed out on the winter fuel payment last year after Northern Ireland followed the Westminster decision to make the payments means tested.
The move, announced shortly after Labour took office last July, led to fierce criticism from unions and pensioner charities.The move, announced shortly after Labour took office last July, led to fierce criticism from unions and pensioner charities.
An extra £17m was found following a Stormont monitoring round and Lyons secured money to grant a £100 one-off payment to support pensioners who were affected by cuts to winter fuel support.An extra £17m was found following a Stormont monitoring round and Lyons secured money to grant a £100 one-off payment to support pensioners who were affected by cuts to winter fuel support.
What are Winter Fuel Payments?What are Winter Fuel Payments?
Winter Fuel Payments were created in 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills.Winter Fuel Payments were created in 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced last year that winter 2024 would be the first time pensioners in England and Wales would not be eligible for the payment.The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced last year that winter 2024 would be the first time pensioners in England and Wales would not be eligible for the payment.
Northern Ireland was forced to follow suit.Northern Ireland was forced to follow suit.
Payments were then restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.Payments were then restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.