Direct payments of up to £650 will be made to those in greatest need amid the rising cost of living after a funding mechanism for Northern Ireland was agreed.
The UK Government announced the extra payments earlier this year but discussion was required to find a way of delivering these to Northern Ireland in the absence of a fully functioning Executive.
Ministers remain in post in a caretaker role while the DUP refuses to nominate a new Executive until the UK takes action over their concerns around the Northern Ireland Protocol.
