Households in Northern Ireland could be in line for a £200 payment to help with energy bills this winter.

If we live in Northern Ireland and get certain benefits we’ll get the one-off payment – there’s no need for us to apply.

The benefits are Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support. We need to have been claiming in the week of 13-19 December 2021.

The grants come from a £55m pot, including £13.8m from the Household Support Fund. There’s also cash from other government departments in Northern Ireland.

We can claim from the Household Support Fund in other parts of the country too until the end of March. Payment won’t be automatic though and we’ll have to contact our council.

The NI Executive said the £200 they’ve announced will help those of us struggling to pay rising energy bills. These are soaring because of the global fuel crisis.

They said the payments would be made as soon as the arrangements are in place.

There are other ways of getting help with our energy bills, such as Fuelbank vouchers, the Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment and the Warm Home Discount.

Photo: Anthony Shkraba/Pexels