The number of pensioners in each area of Northern Ireland expected to receive a one-off £100 payment after winter fuel cuts has been revealed.
In November 2024, the Communities Minister said £17 million had been found in Stormont’s latest monitoring round to allow him to help households affected by the new cuts.
It comes after the UK government announced winter fuel payments would be means tested, and only available to older people on certain benefits. Minister Gordon Lyons criticised this decision, but said Northern Ireland would have to follow.
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The new one-off payment is set to help pensioners impacted by the cuts, and is expected to be paid out by March 2025.
In response to a written question this week, Minister Lyons has detailed the estimated number of households who will receive the new one-off £100 payment, based on winter 2023 data.
Estimated number of household recipients of one-off £100 payment
|
Parliamentary Constituency |
Households |
|
Belfast East |
9,720 |
|
Belfast North |
8,280 |
|
Belfast South and Mid Down |
10,210 |
|
Belfast West |
6,340 |
|
East Antrim |
11,000 |
|
East Londonderry |
10,360 |
|
Fermanagh and South Tyrone |
10,050 |
|
Foyle |
7,130 |
|
Lagan Valley |
11,380 |
|
Mid Ulster |
7,690 |
|
Newry and Armagh |
8,570 |
|
North Antrim |
10,790 |
|
North Down |
13,290 |
|
South Antrim |
10,270 |
|
South Down |
9,340 |
|
Strangford |
11,540 |
|
Upper Bann |
10,010 |
|
West Tyrone |
8,170 |
|
Unmatched |
210 |
|
Total |
174,360 |
Source Northern Ireland Winter Fuel Payment 2023/24
When the one-off payment was announced in November, Minister Lyons said he wanted to ensure every pensioner has support to “stay warm and safe.”
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 said there will be no application process, as the department will automatically identify eligible individuals through existing records.
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