New Year 2010 gets off to a cold start
Happy New Year! Brrrr!
Christmas has come and gone but the picture postcard scenery has remained as the snow falls and temperatures continue to plummet into the new year. It may be a while yet before the snowmen (can I say that) melt. I think the Easter bunny is a little concerned that the cold snap may extend into its holidays and the bookmakers are laying odds on a white Easter.
You know the weather is bad when people talk about skiing trips to the Black Mountain and the Mournes and Curling competitions on the River Lagan.
To help people stay warm the Department for Social Development has announced some cold weather payments. These payments are made to people who satisfy certain conditions which are listed below. The third payment boost was announced by the Department’s Social Security Agency on 5th January 2010.
Information is given to the Department by the Met Office from its offices in Aldergrove, Ballykelly, Castlederg, Katesbridge, and Enniskillen. These weather stations forecast and record the temperatures.
If you qualify for the payment, you will receive it automatically.
To qualify
A person must be receiving,
- State Pension Credit;
- Income Support;
- Jobseekers Allowance (Income based);or
- Employment Support Allowance (Income related)
A person must be entitled to at least one of the above payments during the qualifying period which is announced in each press release.
A person must ALSO have one of the following:-
- A relevant pensioner or disability premium
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- A child under five
- An applicable amount of Employment Support Allowance that includes either the support component or the work-related activity component.
The Department will continue to receive reports from the Met Office and will notify people of any future payments through the usual media channels.
Don’t forget folks
Whilst this weather can be lots of fun for the young ones and some adults, it can be a nightmare for many others, not least people who are old and infirm.
Try not to lose sight on what is happening around you. People tend to think more about getting their car out of their drive than the plight of a vulnerable neighbour who might usually rely on carers and others. If you are affected by the ice and the snow then maybe some carers who look after your neighbours cannot get to visit and check up on them.
Put it on your list of things to do every day. It may only take a few minutes to call and see a friend or neighbour. You can make a difference to someone’s life.
Stay warm
J Dempsey
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