Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme - screening
Date published:
To mitigate against the policy changes to the Winter Fuel Payment scheme (WFP), the Department considered several options to support those pensioners impacted by the changes. The options for an emergency fuel payment were based on different combinations of payment amounts and pensioner age groups.
Following consideration of the options the Department proposes to provide for a one-off payment of £100 to all pensioner households in Northern Ireland who will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment, i.e. those who are not in receipt of Pension Credit or other means tested benefits. The option selected was after considering the minimum spend limit assigned by some home heating oil distributors; available funding for the estimated 170,000 pensioner households impacted by the Winter Fuel Payment policy changes; and because it is the fastest and most efficient way to ensure that all pensioner households missing out receive some sort of mitigation as soon as possible during winter 2024/25.
Existing/Revised/New: New
Date of Screening: 10/02/2025
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No