Lyons says 86% of NI pensioners to be eligible for payment

The Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has stated 86% of pensioners in Northern Eire can be eligible for the winter gas fee this yr.It comes after the federal government carried out a U-turn on its controversial coverage.Labour had initially scrapped the common fee as a value saving measure.However now these with an revenue of £35,000 or under are eligible for the grant.Lyons advised BBC Radio Ulster’s Night Further programme that his officers have assessed that the change in coverage will imply 288,000 pensioners are in line for the fee.”For comparability, throughout the UK as a complete about 80% of pensioners will retain [the payment], however it’s barely larger in Northern Eire due to our decrease incomes,” he stated. “This has been a multitude from the beginning. The federal government have quite a bit to reply for on this. This has been dealt with horrifically by the federal government and has put quite a lot of fear and concern into the minds of our older individuals.” Lyons had secured £17m from Stormont to offer a £100 one-off fee for these affected by the reduce final winter.He stated the Labour authorities’s coverage was misguided.”I stated from the beginning this could not have saved the federal government some huge cash,” he stated. “What we’ve got seen is quite a lot of pensioners attain out for assist and realise they’re eligible for pension credit score, which is a passport for different advantages. So in that regard it’s going to truly price the federal government extra.” Winter gas funds have been created in 1997 to assist everybody above state pension age with their winter heating payments.The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, introduced final yr that winter 2024 could be the primary time pensioners in England and Wales wouldn’t be eligible for the fee.Northern Eire was compelled to observe go well with.Funds have been then restricted to these on advantages and pension credit score.