Citizens Advice advocacy will help public to retain homes

                                              Alex Attwood MLA, Social Development Minister

On Monday 4th October DSD Minister Alex Attwood MLA, made the decision to pay “extra statutory payments” to people who were precluded from getting help with their housing costs on the basis that they were eligible to both the income-related element and the contributory element of Employment and Support Allowance at the same rate.

This issue was highlighted by Newry CAB when an urgent case arose where a claimant was facing the prospect of losing her home.

The adviser in Newry CAB attempted to resolve the case on the client’s behalf by liaising with Departmental officials, however because of current legislation, the Department was
unable to pay housing costs.

Citizens Advice understands that regulations will be introduced in April 2011 to rectify this situation so that housing costs may be awarded to those currently excluded, but concern remained that between now and April 2011 people would lose their homes.

Through Citizens Advice, the case was brought to the attention of the Minister for Social Development. The Department for Social Development were already aware of this issue and were working to resolve it. Minister Attwood’s decision to provide “extra statutory payments” to claimants in this situation, is welcomed by Citizens Advice. The Minister’s decision will provide much needed assistance to those claimants who are struggling to meet their mortgage interest payments.