Derry City and Strabane District Council have said it hopes to release its hardship fund scheme "in the coming weeks" after previously announcing the scheme was delayed.
In September, members of the council approved a budget of £258,000 for a Discretionary Emergency Fuel Support Programme to support those poorest through the cost-of-living crisis this winter.
The scheme was due to roll out to the public within the council district on Monday, October 17 but was delayed after a council spokesperson said the authority was unable to appoint a fuel payment partner in time.
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In a statement, a DCSDC spokesperson said: "The Council is in the process of appointing a fuel payment partner and it is hoped this process will be complete over the coming weeks with further updates made available once that process is completed."
It's anticipated that the payment will allow more than 2,000 households in the DCSDC area to receive £100 towards their home heating oil, an electricity top-up, and two £49 top-ups for gas if they meet certain criteria.
It was agreed that the fund would be distributed across all the DEAs using the existing template of Deprivation, Population and Rurality as previously approved by the Council.
It means the money will be divided over the eight DEAs across the council district, with the Ballyarnet region in Derry City getting the most at £43,291.
The area getting the least amount of money from the council during the scheme is people living in the Sperrins, with £20,782."
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