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29/10/2024
SDLP Calls For Winter Hardship Payment Update
The SDLP is seeking an urgent update from the Department for Communities regarding an alternative for pensioners who will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment following cuts.
Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan issued a series of Assembly Written Questions regarding the issue to which Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons indicated that options were being explored, including the possibility of a one-off hardship payment.
Mr Durkan has called for clarity on this hardship payment ahead of the upcoming winter months.
He said: "As temperatures begin to drop, people's minds automatically turn to bills - many start to worry about heating costs; wondering when gas or oil prices will hit their lowest, whether that timing will match up with pay day, and in some cases, if they’ll face the difficult choice between heating or eating.
"I've implored the Communities Minister to introduce alternative support for those pensioners who will miss out on the Winter Fuel Payment as a result of recent cuts. These cruel changes will see thousands of households worse off this winter.
"At the beginning of September, the Minister stated that he was exploring the introduction of a one-off hardship payment. Despite several asks for an update in the intervening 7 weeks, the department are seemingly no further forward on this issue. Meanwhile, many pensioner households are on tenterhooks, awaiting news.
"There has been a notable turn in the weather and we're very much on the precipice of winter, people urgently need to know what support will be available. To date, the department is yet to assess the regional impact this policy will have on the North which has 24% of the population experiencing fuel poverty compared to 13% in England. The parroted policy has been foisted on people here by both the UK Government and Executive without any forethought. I will continue to push for the delivery of alternative and adequate support, ensuring no one is left in the cold this winter."
Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan issued a series of Assembly Written Questions regarding the issue to which Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons indicated that options were being explored, including the possibility of a one-off hardship payment.
Mr Durkan has called for clarity on this hardship payment ahead of the upcoming winter months.
He said: "As temperatures begin to drop, people's minds automatically turn to bills - many start to worry about heating costs; wondering when gas or oil prices will hit their lowest, whether that timing will match up with pay day, and in some cases, if they’ll face the difficult choice between heating or eating.
"At the beginning of September, the Minister stated that he was exploring the introduction of a one-off hardship payment. Despite several asks for an update in the intervening 7 weeks, the department are seemingly no further forward on this issue. Meanwhile, many pensioner households are on tenterhooks, awaiting news.
"There has been a notable turn in the weather and we're very much on the precipice of winter, people urgently need to know what support will be available. To date, the department is yet to assess the regional impact this policy will have on the North which has 24% of the population experiencing fuel poverty compared to 13% in England. The parroted policy has been foisted on people here by both the UK Government and Executive without any forethought. I will continue to push for the delivery of alternative and adequate support, ensuring no one is left in the cold this winter."
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Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
One of the coldest and harshest winters to hit NI in memory failed to cause any rise in the levels of winters mortalities. Despite the cold weather, last winter (December 2010 - March 2011) there was in fact a fall in the number of deaths registered.
14 October 2013
Applicants Encouraged For Winter Fuel Payment
The Department for Social Development is urging people born on or before 5 January 1952, who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, to pick up the phone and check if they are eligible.
Applicants Encouraged For Winter Fuel Payment
The Department for Social Development is urging people born on or before 5 January 1952, who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, to pick up the phone and check if they are eligible.
13 March 2002
Lodge claims for Winter Fuel Payments now say NICAB
With the last day for making a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment this year set as March 31, the Northern Ireland Citizens Advice Bureau (NICAB) has urged people to lodge their claims in good time. This year’s payment is £200 and is made to people aged 60 or over providing they are eligible.
Lodge claims for Winter Fuel Payments now say NICAB
With the last day for making a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment this year set as March 31, the Northern Ireland Citizens Advice Bureau (NICAB) has urged people to lodge their claims in good time. This year’s payment is £200 and is made to people aged 60 or over providing they are eligible.
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Communities Minister Urged To Take Control Of Emergency Fuel Scheme
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The Communities Minister must take control of the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme rather than passing the buck to a charity, DUP MLA Paula Bradley has said. Making the call, the North Belfast MLA said: "It will come as little surprise to anyone that there has been huge demand for the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme.
13 September 2006
Charity reveals high rate of death among elderly during winter
Help the Aged have announced that more than 1,500 elderly people in Northern Ireland have died over the winters from 2000. Around 290 people aged over 65 died between December and March last year, it was stated.
Charity reveals high rate of death among elderly during winter
Help the Aged have announced that more than 1,500 elderly people in Northern Ireland have died over the winters from 2000. Around 290 people aged over 65 died between December and March last year, it was stated.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
