THE first of two payments to help with the cost-of-living crisis will reach vulnerable households next month, the Department for Communities has confirmed.
Households can expect a first payment of £326 in July with an additional payment of £324 to follow in the autumn.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said that the payments “do not go far enough”, adding that “many people are struggling, including workers and families who are not eligible for benefits.”
“The absence of a functioning Executive and no budget in place makes the challenge of dealing with these issues all the greater," the Sinn Féin MLA said.
The overall payment of £650 has been made available for those on income-related and disability benefits as well as pensioners.
A similar payment of £650 will be paid to recipients of Child and Working Tax credits in the autumn and winter.