IT’S NOVEMBER 2004 and around 100 households have yet to receive the ‘winter fuel’ benefit promised by the government to help cover last year’s heating fuel costs. The Finance Ministry says the applications are on hold and a decision will be taken in the coming weeks. The problem appears to be whether foreigners living permanently in mountain regions are eligible for the one-off payout, raising the prickly issue of discrimination.
Last year’s high fuel prices left households in the higher altitudes forking out large sums of money to maintain their central heating units during the chilly winter months. The government offered a one-off payout totalling £11 million to assist residents in mountain regions. It pledged £400 for each household located 600-1000m above sea level and £500 for houses above 1000m.
However, around 100 families have yet to receive last year’s assistance package despite the new winter already on their doorstep. They are all permanent residents of Cyprus living in the mountain regions, but are all non-Cypriots.
An official from the Grants and Benefits Service said the delay was due to bureaucratic procedures, not lack of money.
“Yes, benefit applications are still pending, and the majority are foreigners. The issue is under examination. We are trying to find a legal foothold as to whether they are entitled to the money or if the aid only applies to Cypriot citizens,” he said.
“As a ministry, we must be absolutely sure before giving money, so we did what we had to do and passed the matter on to the minister. We expect an answer within the coming days or weeks.”
Asked if the exclusion of non-Cypriots could be considered discriminatory, he replied: “Discrimination is unacceptable, especially since we are members of the EU. But we want to be sure of the issue before giving money out. This takes time. We are awaiting approval and will respond accordingly.”
The official noted that payment had also been withheld from a number of Cypriot families until the ministry could establish that they were ‘permanent’ residents of the mountains.
Meanwhile, foreigners living all year round in the mountain regions and paying taxes have described the issue as an “anomaly”. They questioned the need for further inquiries since the eligibility criteria rested on altitude and permanency of residence, not means or nationality.
Patrick Moore from Kalo Chorio said one official had told him that the benefit was meant for Cypriots only.
“If such a policy does exist then it is blatant discrimination. Can you imagine the uproar if the UK government were to adopt such a policy against non-citizens who have made the UK their home, pay their taxes etc.”
“It is hoped that common sense prevails in this matter and that the government treats all citizens from whatever country as equals and pay the subsidy if applicable to them,” he added.
