The prolonged spell of freezing temperatures in Northern Ireland has triggered an extension to this winter’s Cold Weather Payments.
The subzero temperatures currently being experienced here comes amid the rising cost of living, meaning many households are having to choose between heating and eating.
A yellow weather warning for ice is currently in place for parts of Northern Ireland until 12 noon on Wednesday, with showers of sleet and snow expected to bring the risk of some slippery surfaces.
Read more: Details on way cold weather payments work in NI as icy conditions continue
As temperatures remain at freezing point and below in some areas of Northern Ireland, Cold Weather Payments will be extended to more postcode areas.
On Friday, the Department for Communities announced that the first of this winter’s Cold Weather Payments would be paid to people who qualify for the funding in postcode areas covered by the Met Office’s Katesbridge weather station.
On Tuesday, DfC confirmed that these payments will now be extended to 23 more postcode areas in counties Antrim, Tyrone and Fermanagh.
The payments will be made automatically to eligible people in the following postcodes within the Castlederg and Thomastown weather stations: Castlederg weather station postcode areas: BT78, BT79, BT81, BT82; Thomastown weather station postcode areas: BT74, BT75, BT76, BT77, BT92, BT93 and BT94 and Aldergrove weather station area: BT27, BT28, BT29 and BT39, BT40, BT41, BT42, BT43, BT44, BT45, BT46 and BT80.
The Met Office notifies the Department for Communities when the trigger for Cold Weather Payments has been reached, that is when the average temperature is, or is forecast to be, zero degrees centigrade or below over seven consecutive days.
Only those qualifying customers living in these postcode areas will receive the £25 payment. The payments will be made automatically and there is no need to make a claim.
Customers in the Aldergrove, Castlederg and Thomastown postcode areas can expect to receive their payment by next Wednesday, 21 December.
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