THE Department for Communities has come in for criticism after it emerged some households in Northern Ireland will not receive their Winter Fuel Payment until next month.
SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said it is "scandalous in mid-February, months after Winter Fuel Payments were due to be made, that some claimants are yet to receive this much needed support".
In response to an Assembly question on the issue submitted by Mr Durkan, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey confirmed that some payments may not be made until March 31.
The Foyle MLA said: "How any government can justify not paying out a Winter Fuel allowance until the end of March, is completely beyond me.
"In the last number of days, temperatures have been low, snow on the ground and weather warnings have been issued.
"Yet the security of a warm home during these extended cold periods, is a luxury not afforded to all."
He said the payment was even more urgent given the government 'Stay at Home' message.
"This year’s handling of the Winter Fuel Payment, of all years, is a stain of shame on the Department."
A spokesman for the Department for Communities said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administers scheme on its behalf adding:
"DWP is aware of technical issues delaying some payments but anticipate that all payments will be made by 31 March 2021."
He said that "99.9 per cent of Winter Fuel Payments have been made overall, with 283,537 payments issued to customers here as of 25 January 2021, totalling approximately £51m.
"DWP has deployed additional resources to make the remaining payments as soon as possible."
