Those receiving disability benefits say they have been "left out" of a £200 scheme to help those with rising energy costs.
The Department for Communities announced a £55million Energy Payment Support Scheme earlier this year which would provide a £200 one off payment to around 280,000 who receive certain benefits.
This included; Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support.
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However, those who are only in receipt of disability benefits have been unable to access the scheme.
One woman who uses the Larder Food Bank in East Belfast told Belfast Live they had been struggling with the rising costs of electricity and gas over the past few months, with their monthly bill rising from £90 to £125, despite them saying that they have been using a lot less energy in order to manage the costs.
She said: "The past few months have been difficult with the cost of energy always increasing. We have been very strict in our house in order to make sure that we are not using too much of it, but even still our monthly heating bill has gone from £90 to £125.
"I receive disability benefits, but I am not on any of the income based ones, which means that I have not been able to access the £200 energy payment which would have been a big help.
"I am not the only one having issues with this as there are others in my disability support group, who need to have their heating on almost all the time due to their conditions, who are in the same position, and it was a shame that it was not made available to us."
The Department for Communities has said that the Communities Minister would like to see the criteria and budget for the Energy Payment Support Scheme expanded so that others are able to receive additional help with their bills.
A DfC spokesperson said "The Minister would like to see more support for those in need as energy prices continue to soar. This would include expanding the criteria and budget of the Energy Payment Support Scheme.
“The £55million scheme already delivered to people’s pockets required approval by the Executive for the criteria and funding and any amendment to its criteria or budget requires Executive approval, something which can't be explored as there is no functioning Executive.
“Minister Hargey has put over £120million in the pockets of people and families in relation to energy and fuels costs this winter.
“As we know, there is currently £300million locked in the Executive, without a functioning Executive to get that money out.”
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