Ritchie welcomes fuel payment for 150,000 households

Social Development Minister Margaret Richie MLA today welcomed the Executive's announcement that 150,000 households will receive a £150 household fuel payment.

The payment, totalling £22.5million, is being made to help the most vulnerable in society, pay their energy bills.

The households receiving the boost for their energy bills will be those on Income support with Housing Benefit or Housing Loan or on Pension Credit. People do not have to claim. The payment will be automatically made in the same way that normal benefits are paid - either credited to a bank or Post Office Card Account or paid by cheque.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This is very welcome news for the tens of thousands of people in Northern Ireland who face real financial hardship in simply heating their home. I am delighted that we have reached this decision point. It is a sign that this Executive does listen and that we can make a difference.

“Last year saw considerable rises in energy costs. Yes, wholesale gas and oil prices have since fallen, but more and more households in Northern Ireland have slipped into fuel poverty. We have the highest level of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom. The impact on people’s health is considerable.

“There is a big job of work to be done to get this payment out to everyone who is entitled to receive it. My department is confident this can be done in April.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Household Fuel Payment Scheme will make a £150 payment to approximately 150,000 households. All 84,000 Pension Credit claimants (excluding those in Nursing Homes) and approximately 64,000 Income Support claimants who are also in receipt of Housing Benefit or Housing Loan will be eligible.
2. There will be one payment per household and people will be paid directly without having to claim. To qualify, a member of the household must have been in receipt of one of these benefits between 15 December 2008 and 21 December 2008. This was the week when the scheme was first announced in the Assembly. Only one payment will be made per household.
3. For media enquiries, please contact Philip Maguire, DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9079 mobile 07788 108657. Out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440.