Minister Welcomes Increase in Benefits

An additional £94million will go into the Northern Ireland economy, Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has said today.

Minister Storey''s comments come after a motion on the ˜Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 was debated and approved.

Minister Storey said: ''Every year my Department increases the rates of benefits to ensure that claimants are not disadvantaged by inflation. This additional money, at a time of such financial challenge for many people, is to be welcomed.''

This year the following increases have been approved:

 Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer''s Allowance, the main rate of Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance support group component, and those disability-related premiums that are paid with Pension Credit and working-age benefits were increased by 1.2%.

· Industrial Injuries benefits and payments under Mesothelioma and Pneumoconiosis schemes increased by 1.2%.

· The majority of working-age benefits increased by 1%.

· Basic State Pension increased by £2.85 a week. Now £115.95 a week for a single person.

· State Pension Credit (for a single person) increased by £2.85. Now £151.20 a week.

· State Pension Credit (for a couple) increased by £4.35. Now £230.85 a week.