£100 payment to help pensioners with winter fuel cuts – Gordon Lyons

The minister said there will be no application process, as the department will automatically identify eligible individuals through existing records.

“This approach will ensure a smooth and efficient distribution of payments, without the additional burden of application forms or red tape,” he said.

Lyons said he disagreed with the UK Government’s decision to change how winter fuel support works and that he would continue to make the case for its full reinstatement.

Under the changes, about 57,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland will continue to receive winter fuel payments, with an estimated cost of £10.5m.

To qualify for the payment of up to £300, pensioners must receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Lyons told the assembly that from August to October this year, 3,026 applications for pension credit had been received by his department – representing a rise of about 56% from the same time last year.