The financial support available to older people in Northern Ireland this winter

As the weather gets colder and the winter months come closer, there are a range of financial supports available for older people in Northern Ireland.

Despite the Winter Fuel Payment now being means tested, with many households missing out on the payment of £200 or £300 towards heating bills, it is still available for those meeting certain eligibility.

The Communities Minister was recently asked in the Assembly about the financial support available this winter for older people in Northern Ireland.

Read more: Martin Lewis' heating tips to stay warm without using a radiator this winter

Read more: Minister confirms how many in NI will miss out on Winter Fuel payment

It comes as the Minister confirmed there has been an uptake in the numbers of people applying for pension credit, with 889 people in Northern Ireland applying for the benefit in August 2024, compared with 610 in the same period last year.

We have put together a list of some of the financial supports available for older people this winter.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. It is separate from your State Pension.

If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in

• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in

• a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over

• help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments

• help with your heating costs

• a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is assessed. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.

Pension Credit tops up:

• your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single

• your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner

Winter Fuel Payment

A winter fuel payment can help you pay your heating bills. If you are eligible, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.

You could get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.

Most people in Northern Ireland get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.

You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Income Support

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre

Lone Pensioner Allowance

Ratepayers aged 70 or over who live alone may be entitled to 20 per cent discount on their rates. Tenants and homeowners are eligible for Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA). Your social security benefits should not be affected because the allowance is not means-tested.

To qualify for LPA, you must be 70 or over and live alone. If you are eligible you can make an application at any time during the rating year. If you are over 70 and don’t live alone you may be entitled to LPA if you:

• live with a carer who is not your spouse or partner

• provide care for someone who lives with you who is not your spouse or partner

• live with anyone who is under the age of 18

• live with someone who has a severe mental impairment including your spouse or partner

Homeowners can apply for LPA through Land & Property Services, while tenants can apply through the Housing Executive.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit. You may it get if you are State Pension age or over and need help with personal care because you have a physical or mental disability.

You may get Attendance Allowance if you are State Pension age or over, and have needed help with personal care because of a physical or mental disability for six months.

Your disability must be severe enough for you to need either:

• help with things such as washing (and getting in or out of the bath or shower), dressing, eating, getting to and using the toilet, or communicating your needs

• supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in a lot of danger, for example, needing someone to keep an eye on your medical condition or diet

• someone with you when you are on dialysis

You can get Attendance Allowance even if no one is actually giving you the care you need and even if you live alone.

The lower rate, available if you often need help or supervision throughout the day only, is £72.65. The higher rate, available if you often need help or supervision throughout the day and during the night, is £108.55.

You can claim Attendance Allowance online.

Cold Weather Payments

If you receive Pension Credits, you could qualify for extra money for each week there is very cold weather in your area. The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025.

You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.

The Cold Weather Payment checker will help you see if you are entitled to a payment in your area.

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