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  • Consultation on changes to the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Scheme

    Topics:
    • Benefits and pensions

    Date published: 9 December 2024

    The Department for Communities has launched a 12-week public consultation on changes to the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Scheme.

    The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) public consultation, which runs from Monday 9 December 2024 to Sunday 2 March 2025, relates to the policy change which limits the annual Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit or other means tested benefits.

    The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Scheme consultation is available on the Department for Communities’ website.

    The Department welcomes comment on any aspects of the document by online survey, email or post.

    Notes to editors:

    1. The online survey can be accessed here: Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Scheme
    2. Postal responses can be sent to: Social Security Policy, Legislation and Decision Making Services, Department for Communities, Level 3, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EG or email sspld@communities-ni.gov.uk
    3. Media enquiries via email:
    4. Follow us on X @CommunitiesNI
    5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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