Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has raised concerns that the Health Minister has failed to update legislation to allow people on Universal Credit in Northern Ireland to have an automatic entitlement to the 'Help with Health and Travel Costs' scheme.

The scheme provides financial help for people on a low income or certain benefits, covering costs such as travel to appointments, dental treatment, and eye tests. Ms Armstrong said the legislative update has been in place in the rest of the UK for some time. "The Minister of Health has still not brought forward the legislative updates to the 'Help with Health and Travel Costs' scheme to enable people on Universal Credit in Northern Ireland to have automatic entitlement," she said.

Currently, those on Universal Credit must fill out an HC1 form to receive help, rather than getting automatic access. The Strangford MLA stated that many of her constituents have had to pay for services like dental treatment because they were unaware of the form.

"The legislation needs a simple change by adding Universal Credit to the list of benefits with automatic access," she added. "In Northern Ireland, access to healthcare continues to be a struggle for many, and it's time people here had the same access to help as the rest of the UK."

Ms Armstrong urged the Minister to make the update to ensure more people can get the care they need.