Winter Fuel Payment
*New regulations have been introduced to extend eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland to all pensioners from winter 2025/2026, aligning the rules with those already in place in England and Wales.*
Taking effect on 15 September 2025, the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (SR.No.142/2025) revoke and replace both the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (SR.No.160/2024) and the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (SR.No.189/2024).
According to the explanatory memorandum:
“On 10 June 2025, the Department for Communities announced an increase to the means test threshold. As a result, all pensioners in Northern Ireland will receive Winter Fuel Payments, with the cost recovered through the tax system from those who are not receiving means-tested benefits and whose taxable income exceeds £35,000.”
Source: Rightsnet.org.uk
If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
To qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, you must be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland (including the last day) in the qualifying week and satisfy the other rules. (Qualifying week for 2025 – 15 to 21 September)
Please see Gov.uk/Winter Fuel Payment for further information.
Cross-border issues
Under previous legislation, you were not required to be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland to be entitled to a winter fuel payment, on any day in the qualifying week, you were:
•covered by either the Withdrawal Agreement protections or the UK–Ireland Convention; and
•habitually resident in an EEA country; and
•able to demonstrate a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to the UK for a winter fuel payment; and
• the UK is the competent state.
As this legislation has now been revoked and replaced, it would seem that Winter Fuel Payments are no longer available to people who are not ordinarily resident in NI.
*This is a complex area, and it is recommended that you obtain specialist advice if you intend to query or dispute the matter further.*
Further information
Page last checked: September 2025
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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