AQW 50110/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 22/10/2015
Answered On Date: 03/11/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development what support is available to families that are at risk of fuel poverty, but are not eligible for the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

Answer:

The Affordable Warmth Scheme is delivered in partnership between my Department, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and local councils. Local council staff make the initial contact with householders considered to be most at risk of fuel poverty to assess eligibility for the Affordable Warmth Scheme. Where the household is not eligible for assistance under the Affordable Warmth Scheme, council staff can refer them on to the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme which provides a range of schemes to assist low income households improve their energy efficiency. My Department’s Boiler Replacement Scheme also provides a grant of up £1,000 to replace old inefficient boilers. Council staff may also direct householders to the Bryson Energy Freephone advice line to obtain independent and impartial advice for domestic householders in Northern Ireland. This advice line is funded by my Department through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Advice and guidance is available on NI Direct for people who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Council staff also advise householders of the Social Security Agency’s ‘Make the Call’ campaign and if the householder agrees they will send their details to the Make the Call team to undertake a Benefit Entitlement Check.

In addition my Department will issue the annual Winter Fuel Payment (£100 - £300) to qualifying households again this year. My Department also operates the Cold Weather Payment, which is issued to qualifying households when the temperature is or is forecast to be zero or below for 7 consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March. This payment could be made several times during the qualifying period, depending on the temperature.