Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities whether she will increase the income threshold of the Affordable Warmth Scheme and exclude Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance from the calculation of income.
Minister for Communities: From November 2017 to February 2018 my Department consulted on proposed changes to the Scheme.
There was broad support for the proposed changes including a proposal to remove Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Carer’s Allowance payments from the calculation of income.
I had intended to make a decision on the proposals by the end of February 2020, however due to the Covid-19 pandemic this decision has been delayed. I am currently considering all of the proposed changes and a decision will be made in the coming weeks.
ENDS
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