Eligible households in Belfast can receive a one-off voucher of up to £100 to cover energy bills as part of a new fund.
The Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund from Belfast City Council is providing £1million to help Belfast households in fuel poverty.
Nine partner organisations across the city are administering the scheme on behalf of the council, to help eligible households with up to £100 to cover the cost of oil, gas, electricity, or a mixture of these.
Read more: 2km of City Centre footpath to be upgraded and linked to new greenway
The fund will be delivered across the city - in the north, south, east, west Belfast and the greater Shankill area.
Vouchers will be allocated and distributed by partner organisations to eligible households on a first-come, first-served basis in each of these areas, until the available funding has been exhausted.
Only households that can demonstrate they meet at least one of the criteria will be eligible for support (until the available funding has been exhausted):
- a member of your household is entitled to free school meals
- a member of your household has recently become unemployed
- a member of your household receives means tested benefits
- your household is in debt with an energy provider
- your gross annual household income is less than £60,000
There will be a maximum of one voucher per eligible household. If you meet all five criteria, you will only receive one voucher. It's expected most eligible households will receive vouchers this month.
Partner organisations will identify people within their areas who may be eligible for support through the fund. You can also contact your nearest organisation directly if you meet one of the criteria outlined.
A list of partner organisations can be found by clicking here.
READ NEXT:
- Date confirmed for rollout of £600 energy vouchers
- Two NI schools on offering free breakfast to all pupils for the long term
- 'More stable’ year ahead for energy prices, Fermanagh provider says
- Asda extends £1 cafe offer for kids and over 60s in NI
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
