Pensioners in NI will receive winter fuel payment this year – Lyons

Pensioners in Northern Ireland will receive their winter fuel payment this year, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has said.

In a statement to the Assembly, Mr 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.

On Monday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a major U-turn on the decision to scrap the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners.

She said nine million pensioners in England and Wales will now be in receipt of the payment this year, following an intense backlash since the initial decision to cut the benefit.

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.

Mr Lyons had previously said he needed further clarity on what the announcement meant for Northern Ireland.

He said: “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 Torsten Bell MP, Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (DWP) along with the Finance Minister John O’Dowd.

“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.”

After the UK Government restricted eligibility for winter fuel payments last year, Mr Lyons announced a one-off £100 payment to pensioner households affected.

The minister added: “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.”

Mr Lyons also warned of possible scams in the wake of the announcement stating payments will be made automatically and no one will be asked for their personal details.