There are a number of welfare payments available to retired and older people living in Northern Ireland.

State Pension

The State Pension is a benefit for people of state pension age that is based on their national insurance contributions. You do not have to have stopped working in order to get State Pension.  For further information please visit – Border People – Pensions in Northern Ireland

Winter Fuel Payments

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment for older people. Winter Fuel Payment is paid every year over the winter months to help with your fuel costs.  However, it does not matter how you use the money.  For further information please visit – Border People – Winter Fuel Payment

Christmas Bonus

If you are getting State Pension or Pension Credit, you will be entitled to a Christmas Bonus. This is usually £10 a year. In some cases, you can also get a bonus for your partner.  For further information please visit – www.nidirect.gov.uk – Christmas Bonus(opens in new tab)

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.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

You can also get Pension Credit even if you have other income, a pension, savings or own your own home. Even a small award of Pension Credit can provide access to a wide range of other benefits.  For further information please visit – NI Direct Understanding Pension Credit .

Free travel

Free Travel is available to all Senior Citizens who are 60 years of age or over and who are resident in Northern Ireland (you must have been resident in NI for a minimum of 3 months to be eligible).  For further information please visit Border People – Free Travel Scheme for senior citizens in Northern Ireland

Free Television Licence

From 1 August 2020, anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit, is eligible for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC. The licence covers everyone living at your address.

For further information visit – www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/free-tv-licence

Attendance Allowance (AA)

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

For further information please visit –Border People – Attendance Allowance NI

Cross-border issues:

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks. For further information please visit – Source : Gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-ireland#benefits

See also

• Age NI – www.ageuk.org.uk(opens in new tab)
• NI Direct – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/over-state-pension-age
• NI Direct – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance

Page last checked: August 2022

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

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