To ask the Minister for Social Development whether additional or exceptional circumstances, outside of annual income, may be considered as eligibility criteria for the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

The qualification criteria for the Affordable Warmth Scheme were determined following a public consultation on proposals between 17 February and 9 May 2014 regarding the Affordable Warmth Scheme. In the consultation, it was proposed to set the household income eligibility level for the Affordable Warmth Scheme at £16,190 (the then free schools meal limit). The findings of the first Affordable Warmth pilot “An Area Based Approach to Finding Households Most in Need” reported that half of the households surveyed had an annual income of less than £12,000 and two thirds of them had an annual income of less than £16,000.

As a result of the public consultation my Department decided that the annual household income level should be set at £20,000. In reaching this figure my Department considered the 2012/13 Family Resources Survey which showed that 39% of Northern Ireland households had an income less than £400 per week.

The £20,000 limit was set as part of the extensive consultation therefore there is no flexibility or discretion to take exceptional circumstances into account. My Department will review the Affordable Warmth Scheme, including the qualification criteria, after one full year of operation to ensure that those households most impacted by fuel poverty are assisted.

The Information provided in this response is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is enforced by UK Statistics Authority.