The latest Cold Weather Payment was triggered by information supplied by the Met Office which recorded average sub zero temperatures over the continuous period from 18 December 2009 to 14 January 2010 at its Castlederg, Enniskillen and Katesbridge weather stations. Only those qualifying customers living in the post code areas covered by these three weather stations will receive a further £25 payment in addition to the £75 they have already received.
The post code areas affected are BT24-28, 30-35, 45-48, 60-71, 74-82 and 92-94.
Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, welcomed the further payments. She said. “The fourth £25 payment will be arranged automatically by the Social Security Agency for qualifying customers in the affected post code areas. There is no need to make a claim.”
Qualifying customers can expect to receive their payments for this latest period by 30 January 2010 either by direct payment to customer accounts or by cheque.
Notes to editors:
- 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 Enniskillen. The temperature at the Castlederg, Enniskillen and Katesbridge weather stations was below zero degrees for four consecutive seven day periods from 18 December 2009 to 14 January 2010 which has triggered a fourth Cold Weather Payment in the areas covered by these stations. Sub-zero temperatures at Aldergrove and Ballykelly weather stations did not extend for this comparable 28 day period and a fourth Cold Weather Payment has not therefore been triggered for these areas.
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
