AQW 14281/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the cost of moving the winter fuel payments to a means-tested model; (ii) whether there is an application process for the new model; and (iii) how much less the new model will cost compared with the current model.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 2 September 2024
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 2 September 2024
- Answer due by
- 10 September 2024
- Answered
- 17 September 202415 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
Winter Fuel Payments are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. Therefore, there is no cost to my Department from the move to a means-tested model in Northern Ireland. Means tested Winter Fuel Payments will be funded directly from HM Treasury and are outside the NI Block Grant.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they meet the eligibility criteria. An application is not needed if you get any of the following:
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
People born before 23 September 1958 and who receive Universal Credit may need to claim and more information about how to do that can be found at - https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim
Means-testing Winter Fuel Payments under the new model will reduce Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) costs incurred by HM Treasury by approximately £44.3m for eligible Northern Ireland recipients. AME costs are funded directly from HM Treasury and are outside the NI Block Grant.