Over 26,000 pensioners living in Ireland received fuel allowance payments from the UK government last year, with the total amount reaching as much as €9 million, according to newly released figures, reports Breaking News.
Anyone receiving a UK state pension is entitled to the annual Winter Fuel Payment, regardless of their place of residence. Pensioners under 80 receive £200 (€231), while those over 80 are paid £300 (€346).
Of the 34,300 people who received the payment while living outside the UK, more than 76 per cent were based in Ireland, according to data from the British Department for Work and Pensions obtained under freedom of information legislation, reports Breaking News.
Depending on the amount paid to each individual, the total payments to Irish-based pensioners ranged from €6 million to €9 million.
Germany had the next-largest group of British state pensioners receiving the fuel payment, with 2,190 people. This was followed by 1,630 recipients in Italy and 780 in Bulgaria, reports Breaking News.
The number of Irish recipients dropped by approximately 5.5 per cent last year after changes to eligibility criteria tied the payment to other income-based supports such as pension credit.
However, the UK government reversed this decision following pushback from charities, trade unions and members of parliament. Universal eligibility has been reinstated for the current winter season – though individuals earning over £35,000 (€40,410) will have the benefit recouped through taxation, reports Breaking News.
Among the 26,230 individuals in Ireland who received the Winter Fuel Payment last year were Irish citizens who had previously worked in the UK and qualified for the British state pension – sometimes alongside the Irish state pension.
Recipients also included British nationals who had moved to Ireland, reports Breaking News.
Unlike the UK version, Ireland’s fuel allowance is means-tested and only available to pensioners earning less than €524 per week.
If an individual also receives the UK Winter Fuel Payment, it is counted as income when calculating their eligibility for the Irish benefit, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
