Age NI urges older people to apply for Pension Credit on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

As part of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Wednesday 27 November), Age NI is urging older people to make sure to check if they are entitled to receive pension credit before the deadline of 21^st December 2024. Receiving pension credit will allow them to continue to get paid the Winter Fuel Payment.   

Kellie Turtle, Head of Policy and Engagement for Age NI, comments:

“With 36,000 older people in Northern Ireland living in relative poverty and 22,000 in absolute poverty, many will be experiencing fuel poverty.   It is vitally important that older people who are entitled to receive pension credit make sure they have applied before the deadline of 21^st December 2024.  This will allow an older person in receipt of pension credit to continue to receive the Winter Fuel payment if the claim is backdated for 3 months.

We recognise the importance of last week’s announcement by the Minister for Communities regarding the £100 payment to older people throughout Northern Ireland. Age NI remains concerned, however, that the amount allocated may fall short of what older people really need to stay warm during the long winter days and nights ahead.  We also need the Department to ensure that this money will be paid out as soon as possible.”  

Age NI are continuing to call on the NI Executive to make a commitment to ensure older people receive the financial support they need to stay warm this winter and beyond.   

For help and advice on pension credit and other benefits contact the Age NI advice team on 0808 808 7575.