To ask the Minister for Communities whether the one-off heating payment announced is on top of, or in place of, the annual heating payment; and whether the payment will be dependent on weather conditions or will be made automatically.

The Covid-19 Heating Payment is a one-off payment to provide financial support to people in receipt of Pension Credit as well as those receiving the highest rates of Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance, including children.

This payment is in addition to any other payments, including the annual Winter Fuel Payment.

There is no application process; the payment will be made automatically via existing payment channels and is not dependent on weather conditions.