More cold weather payments to be made

The Minister for Social Development has announced a fifth round of Cold Weather Payments to qualifying customers living in some parts of Northern Ireland.

The latest Cold Weather Payment was triggered by information supplied by the Met Office which forecast average sub zero temperatures for the period 19 February to 25 February 2010 at its Katesbridge weather station. Temperatures averaging below zero were also recorded at the Castlederg and St Angelo (Enniskillen) weather stations for the period 16 February to 22 February 2010. Only those qualifying customers living in the post code areas covered by these weather stations will receive a further £25 payment.

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, further stated: “We are enduring one of the coldest and longest winters on record and members of our community in greatest need require help with heating costs. This latest £25 payment will be issued automatically by the Social Security Agency to qualifying customers living in the affected post code areas. There is no need to make a claim.”

The post code areas affected are BT24-28, 30-35, 45-48, 60-71, 74-82 and 92-94.

Qualifying customers can expect to receive their payments for this latest period by 3 March 2010 either by direct payment to customer accounts or by cheque.

Notes to editors:

1. Cold Weather Payments are triggered when the daily temperature is, or is forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below, for a period of seven consecutive days. The temperature measurement is made by five meteorological stations located at Aldergrove, Ballykelly, Castlederg, Katesbridge and St Angelo (Enniskillen). The average temperature at the Katesbridge weather station was forecast to be below zero degrees for seven day period from 19 February to 25 February 2010. Sub zero temperatures were recorded at the Castlederg and St Angelo weather stations for the seven day period 16 February to 22 February 2010.

2. To qualify for the payment a person must be receiving State Pension Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance (main phase) for at least one day in the period of cold weather;

or they or their partner must be in receipt of Income Support, income based Jobseekers Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance (in the assessment phase) for at least one day in the period of cold weather and:

they have a dependent child under five; or

they are in receipt of a pensioner, disability, severe disability or disabled child premium; or

they are entitled to Child Tax Credit for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled.

3. The payments are made automatically and people do not have to make a claim. Cold Weather Payments are, in addition to the Winter Fuel Payments of £250 and over, made to people aged over 60 years.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.