The payment is paid across 28 weeks to 404,000 households across the country

More than 1.5m people to benefit from measures aimed at pensioners, carers, low-income families, and people with disabilities

Seán Sherlock called for the reinstatement of the four extra weeks of fuel allowance in 2021

Independent Alliance ministers have dropped demands to abolish prescription charges and increase the fuel allowance in the budget, and instead want proposed welfare top-ups introduced as early as possible next year.