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CountryScammers are already focusing on pensioners who’re anticipating to revive their winter gasoline funds, Community Minister Gordon Leone has warned.
This comes a day after the cost is confirmed, which the federal government has stopped for tens of millions of pensioners throughout the UK. Now restored,
Leones instructed the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly that he knew about a number of “scams in circulation”, which is being approached and requested for his or her banking particulars.
He mentioned that it’s “derogatory” that individuals are making an attempt to avail pensioners “less than 24 hours after the payment was restored.
The minister reminded those who are in line for payment that money will be paid automatically, and there is no need to provide details or fill the application form.
He also assured the members of the Legislative Assembly that pensioners in Northern Ireland would get payment just like others in Britain.
Explaining how the plan will work, he said that by the end of July, the law would be passed which will clear the way for payment to be made before winter.
He stressed that there would be no additional cost for the executive of Northern Ireland as money would be provided from London.
He said that only those pensioners who earn £ 35,000 or less will be eligible.
On Monday, payment of up to £ 300 per house for more than 80 and more than £ 200 was confirmed to people under 80 for North Ireland.
In England and Wales, all pensioners will be paid, before HMRC will recover funds from people earning more than £ 35,000 through taxation.
What are the winter fuel payments?
Winter fuel payments were created in 1997 to help everyone above the state pension age with their Winter Heating Bill.
Chancellor, Rachel Raves announced last year that Winter 2024 would not be eligible for the first time pensioner in England and Wales payment.
Northern Ireland was forced to follow the suit.
Payments have been then restricted to these on revenue and pension credit score.
With inputs from BBC