The latest Cold Weather Payment was triggered by information supplied by the Met Office which recorded average sub zero temperatures over the continuous period from 18 December 2009 to 14 January 2010 at its Castlederg, Enniskillen and Katesbridge weather stations. Only those qualifying customers living in the post code areas covered by these three weather stations will receive a further £25 payment in addition to the £75 they have already received.

The post code areas affected are BT24-28, 30-35, 45-48, 60-71, 74-82 and 92-94.

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, welcomed the further payments. She said. “The fourth £25 payment will be arranged automatically by the Social Security Agency for qualifying customers in the affected post code areas. There is no need to make a claim.”

Qualifying customers can expect to receive their payments for this latest period by 30 January 2010 either by direct payment to customer accounts or by cheque