Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that payments from the £55million Energy Payment Support Scheme will start being paid from next week.
The one-off payment of £200 will provide support for people struggling to meet rising energy costs due to the global fuel crisis and will be made automatically to around 280,000 eligible people in receipt of specified benefits.
The payment will be made through existing payment channels from March 10, without the need for an application.
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On Tuesday, Minister Hargey said: "The rising cost of living and soaring increases in energy bills continues to have major impact on people who are finding it harder to cope. Many are struggling to afford essentials, such as heating their homes and paying for their electricity.
"As Communities Minister my top priority has always been to support people. I therefore secured £55million which will ensure 280,000 eligible people and families will see payments of £200 starting to be received into bank accounts next week."
Who is eligible?
Individuals will be eligible for this payment if, during the qualifying week from Monday December 13 to Sunday December 19 2021, they were in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit;
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; or
- Income Support.
The Minister continued: “This much needed support of £55million is in addition to schemes we already have in place. These include the Affordable Warmth and Boiler Replacement Schemes, Cold Weather Payments, Discretionary Support and the Winter Fuel Payment which has paid out over £51million this winter to more than 290,000 older people. My department also provided a £2million contribution to an Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme, operated by Bryson Care.
“During these difficult times I would encourage people to contact the Department’s Make the Call service which is in place to connect people with the benefits, supports and services to which they are entitled. To 'Make the Call' you can phone 0800 232 1271; text ADVICE to 67300; Visit nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall or email makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk.”
"Families crying out for help for months"
SDLP communities spokesman Mark H Durkan said it was regrettable that people would receive the money near the beginning of spring and not during the cold winter period.
The Foyle MLA said: "Families have been crying out for this support for months. We have just come through a very cold period and now as the weather is beginning to turn people will finally get this money.
"I have pressed the minister consistently since the scheme was announced in early January for a payment date. No answer was forthcoming.
"Instead many people were forced to make it through the winter with no support while they were unable to heat their homes.
"While it will help people in the short term we have seen from the rising cost of heating bills that it will only be a sticking plaster approach at best."
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