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£150 fuel money due 'this week' £150 fuel money due 'this week'
(31 minutes later)
Around 150,000 householders are to receive a £150 supplement this week to help pay for fuel.Around 150,000 householders are to receive a £150 supplement this week to help pay for fuel.
In total, £22.5m will be paid to low income families and the elderly. Pensioners who own their homes have been included in the payments.In total, £22.5m will be paid to low income families and the elderly. Pensioners who own their homes have been included in the payments.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said payments will be made through the benefits system.Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said payments will be made through the benefits system.
"I know it will be of benefit to many households facing fuel poverty and economic hardship this year," she said."I know it will be of benefit to many households facing fuel poverty and economic hardship this year," she said.
In December 2008 the utility regulator said there had been an "unprecedented increase" in wholsesale gas costs In December 2008 the utility regulator said there had been an "unprecedented increase" in wholsesale gas costs during the year, leading to more expensive household energy bills.
during the year, leading to more expensive household energy bills.