The Isle of Man Government has distributed the annual Winter Bonus payment to support vulnerable members of the local community.
The lump-sum – usually £300 – is issued by Treasury in January each year and helps around 2,300 people on low incomes to keep warm during the winter months.
The Winter Bonus is paid to pensioners, disabled people and certain other individuals who receive means-tested income support. The annual payment helps them to meet higher heating bills during the coldest months of the year.
The cost to Government of providing the Winter Bonus is about £750,000 a year and supports the Programme for Government objective of maintaining a Caring and Inclusive Society.
Ralph Peake MHK, Member of the Treasury with responsibility for social security, said:
‘The Winter Bonus can make a real difference to people on low incomes who might otherwise find it difficult to heat their homes adequately during the colder months.’
He added:
‘People who are entitled to the Winter Bonus don’t need to claim it as it is paid to them automatically.’
