Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced on Wednesday that a new one-off payment of £100 would be available to pensioners this winter.
The news came following the decision by the UK Government to make the winter fuel payment a means-tested benefit.
The Department for Communities estimated that around 170,000 households here would lose out as a result of the changes.
More: Better-off pensioners missing out on winter fuel payment to get £100 - by spring
Here’s everything you need to know about the new payment.
What is the new £100 payment?
The Communities Minister announced that his department would be using a £17m allocation from the Executive to fund a new one-off payment of £100 for those impacted by changes to the winter fuel payment.
This one-off payment is to be made to pensioners who are no longer eligible the winter fuel payment for the 2024/25 season.
Who is eligible for the £100 payment?
Pensioners who are no longer eligible for the winter fuel payment will receive the new £100 payout.
This will apply to pensioners not in receipt of pension credit or any other benefits.
The same criteria which applies for the winter fuel payment will also apply – individuals will need to have been aged 66 or above during the qualifying week (Monday 16 September to Sunday 22 September 2024).
.@CommunitiesNI minister @gordonlyons1 has announced his plan for the allocation of £17 million from the @niexecutive to mitigate the impact of changes to the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP).https://t.co/Yg7n3fiZVJ pic.twitter.com/CwszBwnZqr
— Communities NI (@CommunitiesNI) November 19, 2024
Do I need to apply?
No, the Minister has said that applications are not required.
Payment will be made using the same method as the winter fuel payments.
When will I receive the payment?
Pensioners who are no longer eligible for the winter fuel payment can expect to receive this new one-off payment by March 2025.
“Having previously tasked my officials with readying the relevant legislation in the event of a funding allocation, I expect the payment to be made automatically before the end of March 2025,” the Communities Minister said.
