Gordon Lyons: Home Heating Oil Support Scheme is a practical step that will provide real assistance to NI households struggling with fuel costs this winter

The cost of living continues to place real pressure on households across Northern Ireland and we will again face the impact of energy costs this winter.

As communities minister, I am determined to do what I can with the resources available to me to support people through these challenges.

That is why I am introducing the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme, which will provide a £100 voucher to around 340,000 households across Northern Ireland. Applications for this will open on 9 September.

When energy prices surged, I urged the UK government to use the fiscal levers available to them and provide direct relief at the time people needed it most.

While those decisions were not within my control, I have remained focused on delivering practical support wherever possible through the powers and resources available to me.

A key priority for me has been ensuring that support reaches beyond those already in receipt of benefits.

Many people work hard every day, do the right thing, and yet still find themselves struggling with rising household costs.

I wanted this scheme to recognise those realities and provide help to a wider range of households who could benefit from a little extra support as we head into the colder months.

I have also deliberately brought forward the scheme to ensure households have as much opportunity as possible to make use of their voucher.

September is one of the most expensive months of the year for many families, with school costs, childcare expenses and other pressures all arriving at once. Getting this support in place now will help people plan ahead and manage those additional costs.

This scheme is an important intervention, but I recognise it is not the complete answer. Many households that rely on gas for heating also face significant challenges with affordability. That is why I am continuing to drive forward longer-term reforms aimed at tackling fuel poverty across Northern Ireland.

We need a sustainable approach that improves energy efficiency, reduces energy costs and supports households regardless of the fuel they use.

My ambition is not simply to provide short-term help when circumstances demand it, but to build a fairer and more resilient system that supports everyone struggling with fuel poverty.

The Home Heating Oil Support Scheme is a practical step that will provide real assistance to hundreds of thousands of households this year. It demonstrates my commitment to helping people through difficult times while continuing to pursue the wider changes needed to address fuel poverty in the long term.

Full details on eligibility and the application process can be accessed online at nidirect.gov.uk/oil-support-scheme. You can also contact the Department’s advice services, Make the Call and the Veterans Support Line NI or Jobs and Benefits teams.

Once the application process opens, you can contact Scheme staff directly on 0800 072 0266.

Gordon Lyons MLA, Minister for Communities