- The first vouchers were posted on Friday and were not expected to arrive until Monday, but some arrived early.
- They can only be redeemed at post offices and are being sent to all households who do not pay their energy bills by direct debit, which is estimated to be about 75% of customers in Northern Ireland.
The first vouchers were posted on Friday and were not expected to arrive until Monday, but some arrived early. Ms Kellie Alexander, 46, from Ballybeen, County Down, a throat cancer survivor who uses a wheelchair, was one of the first to recipients of the one-off payment. In her remarks, she said, “It couldn’t have come at a better time… without it, my meter would have been out on Monday morning”. The Post Office said the first people to receive their vouchers were identified by electricity suppliers as meriting special treatment due to age, disability or chronic illness and while the money is intended to help with rising energy costs, people can use it however they want.
Ms Alexander said she cashed her payment shortly after it arrived, using some to top up her gas and electricity and saving the rest for future expenses. The voucher comprises a £400 support payment announced in May and an additional £200 because of the high proportion of homes in Northern Ireland using heating oil. The rollout will be staggered over the next four weeks and completed by the end of February. The majority of vouchers are expected to start arriving on Monday.
They can only be redeemed at post offices and are being sent to all households who do not pay their energy bills by direct debit, which is estimated to be about 75% of customers in Northern Ireland. People who pay for their electricity by direct debit will not get a voucher; instead, the £600 will automatically be deposited in their bank account. The head of payments for the Post Office, Andrew Goddard, said: it was a major logistical exercise and the company was working hard to distribute the vouchers as quickly as possible. He said, “Please read the voucher very carefully and ensure you take it, plus the forms of ID specified, to ensure the teams can process your voucher and you receive your money. We also encourage customers to receive your money and deposit this straight into your bank account.”