To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the number of people currently waiting to receive their £100 emergency fuel payment; and (ii) how applicants can check the progress of their application.

The Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme is being operated by Bryson Care. This is not a Department for Communities scheme. Bryson Care have advised that, in line with the objectives of the scheme, all complete applications are processed within an average of 24hours and for those assessed as eligible delivery of the fuel supply is within a further 24 hours.

All applicants are notified by Bryson Care on completion of the assessment process. The notification is subject to the applicants preference; text, email or landline.