Winter Fuel Allowance (Northern Ireland)
Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced an increase in the winter fuel allowance in his first Budget. For winter 2008/2009 the fuel allowance will go up from £200 to £250 for the over 60s and from £300 to £400 for the over 80s. The additional amounts are a one off increase.
The Winter Fuel Payment is a non-means tested annual payment to help older people with their winter heating bills. You don’t have to be receiving any particular benefit to get a Winter Fuel Payment – you qualify simply by your age. You must be aged 60 or over in the September before the winter in question.
You may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment;
• If you are 60 or over in ‘the qualifying week’ for the winter concerned. The qualifying week always begins on the third Monday of September.
• You normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
How to Apply?
You should get the winter fuel allowance automatically if you are receiving the State retirement pension. But people aged 60–64 who do not get a State Retirement Pension can claim the payment by telephoning the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline: 08459 151515.
Can I get winter fuel payments if I move to Ireland?
You must usually be resident in the UK to qualify although you may retain entitlement if you move from the UK to another EEA country. If you move to the Republic of Ireland, and previously qualified for a winter fuel payment in the North or another part of the UK, you may be able to continue to receive the payments while resident in the South. The payments are made automatically to you if you are receiving State Retirement Pension from the UK.
National Fuel Scheme (Republic of Ireland)
A winter fuel allowance is available to households in Ireland who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The scheme is a means tested allowance and is available to low income households in receipt of certain qualifying payments. It runs for 30 weeks from the end of September to Mid-April each year. The fuel allowance is currently €18 per week (2008 figures). In order to qualify for a winter fuel allowance you must be receiving one of the following payments:
• State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non-Contributory)
• State Pension (Transition)
• Widow's or Widower's Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension
• Incapacity Supplement
• Blind Pension
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Guardians (Contributory)
• Guardians (Non Contributory)
• Farm Assist
• Pre-Retirement Allowance
• Prisoners Wife's Allowance
• Long-term Jobseekers Allowance
• Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Allowance
• Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance
• Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance
If you are receiving social welfare payments from the UK and have moved to Ireland you may qualify for the fuel allowance if you pass a means test. If you move outside the Republic of Ireland you will loose your entitlement to the winter fuel allowance. For further information on qualifying payments contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs www.welfare.ie
How to apply?
You can get an application form from any post office or your local Social Welfare Office. If you are receiving long-term Jobseeker's Allowance, you will get the allowance each week in addition to your Jobseeker's Allowance. If you are receiving a payment from the Health Service Executive, it will pay the allowance directly to you.
© Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NIACAB) 2008