Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has confirmed this morning, Wednesday 9 March, that the £200 energy payment has been delayed.
Last week it was announced that the £55 million Energy Payment Support Scheme would begin being paid from 10 March 2022.
The one-off payment of £200 was agreed by the Assembly to help provide support for people struggling to meet rising energy costs due to the global fuel crisis. It will be made automatically to around 280,000 in Northern Ireland eligible people in receipt of specified benefits. The payment will be made through existing payment channels, without the need for an application.
Commenting on the delay, Minister Deirdre Hargey said:
“The much needed energy payment of £200 will now begin to be paid directly to peoples accounts on Friday.
“I’m disappointed that DWP experienced a technical glitch resulted in payments not going ahead on Thursday.
“I have been assured this morning that the issue has been rectified.”
Individuals will be eligible for this payment if, during the qualifying week (Monday 13 December to Sunday 19 December 2021 inclusive), they were in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit;
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; or
Income Support.