Continued cold snap triggers third Cold Weather Payment
08 January 2010
The Department for Social Development is to make a third Cold Weather Payment as a result of the continuing severe weather conditions.
The latest Cold Weather Payment was triggered by forecast information supplied by the Met Office and affects the whole of Northern Ireland for the period from 5 January 2010 to 11 January 2010.
Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, in announcing the further payments said: "This third payment of £25 will be paid automatically by the Social Security Agency to qualifying customers throughout Northern Ireland. There is no need to make a claim.
"This means that qualifying customers will be getting a total of £75 to help them meet increased fuel bills during this exceptional and sustained period of cold weather."
Qualifying customers can expect to receive their payment for this latest period of cold weather on 13 January 2010 either by direct payment to customer accounts or by cheque. The first and second payments for weeks ending 24 December 2009 and 4 January 2010 should be received by customers by 6 January 2010.
To qualify for the payment a person must be receiving State Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) for one day in the period of cold weather and have one of the following:
- a relevant pensioner or disability premium
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five years old
- an applicable amount of Employment and Support Allowance that includes either the support component or the work-related activity component
