Winter Fuel Payment reinstated for Northern Ireland pensioners, confirms Minister Lyons

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that pensioners across Northern Ireland will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year, following a significant government u-turn on eligibility restrictions.

The announcement, made in a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 June 2025, brings relief to thousands of older residents concerned about rising energy costs this winter.

The Winter Fuel Payment, a vital lifeline for many pensioners, will provide £200 to those under 80 and £300 to those over 80, with eligibility extended to all pensioners on an income of £35,000 or below.

Pensioners exceeding this income threshold will still receive the payment but have the option to opt out, or the amount will be recovered through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

“I know that many of our pensioners are still anxious and worried about what yesterday’s statement means for them,” Minister Lyons said. “Therefore, I have acted quickly, to provide clarity and certainty about what will happen to the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland.”

The decision follows months of uncertainty after the Labour government’s controversial move last July to limit Winter Fuel Payments to pensioner households receiving Pension Credit or specific income-related benefits.

This restriction sparked widespread opposition, including from Minister Lyons and the Northern Ireland Executive, who argued it would disproportionately affect vulnerable older people.

To mitigate the impact of the initial changes, Minister Lyons secured £17 million in Executive funding last October, enabling a one-off payment of £100 to be issued to affected pensioners for the 2024/25 winter.

“Almost 250,000 payments were issued, as promised, to most Northern Ireland pensioners by the end of March 2025,” Lyons noted, highlighting the success of the temporary measure.

However, with ongoing concerns about energy bills, the reinstatement of the full Winter Fuel Payment has been warmly welcomed. “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,” Lyons added.

“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.”

The increased income threshold ensures that no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out, providing a crucial safety net as energy costs remain a significant challenge for many households. Minister Lyons has been proactive in coordinating with counterparts in Westminster to ensure the policy is effectively implemented in Northern Ireland.

“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,” he explained.

“I also met with Torsten Bell MP, Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (DWP) along with the Finance Minister John O’Dowd.”

Legislation to reinstate the payment is expected to be in place by the end of July, with officials from the Department for Communities working closely with the DWP and HMRC to determine the number of pensioners affected, particularly those with incomes above the £35,000 threshold.

Scam warning issued to pensioners

Amid the positive news, Minister Lyons issued a stern warning about potential scams targeting pensioners following the announcement. He emphasised that the Winter Fuel Payment will be distributed automatically, as in previous years, and no one will be required to provide personal or bank details to receive it.

“Pensioners do not need to do anything to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year,” Lyons stressed.

“If anyone gets a suspicious email or text from GOV.UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for Communities asking for bank details, they should report it to Action Fraud. They should not respond or click on any links.”

The warning comes as fraudsters often exploit government announcements to target vulnerable individuals, particularly older people, with phishing scams designed to steal personal information.

A step forward for pensioner support

The reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment marks a significant victory for pensioners in Northern Ireland, who faced uncertainty after last year’s eligibility changes.

The move reflects the Executive’s commitment to supporting older residents during a challenging economic period, with Minister Lyons’ swift action ensuring clarity and reassurance for those reliant on the payment.

As the legislation progresses and payments are prepared, pensioners are urged to remain vigilant against scams and await automatic distribution of the funds.

For many, the return of the Winter Fuel Payment will provide much-needed financial relief, helping to keep homes warm and energy bills manageable this winter.