Office Hours 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday    |    Contact: 028 90 279 100    |    enquiries@vssni.org

Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions section of our website is updated regularly to help keep victims and survivors informed and provide access to the latest information.

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How do I contact the VSS?

When will I receive my Self Directed Assistance Payment for 2024/25?

When will I receive my award for Home Heating this year?

I am struggling financially – is there any help I can get from VSS?

How can I apply for the Troubles/Victims Payment Scheme?

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If you cannot find the information that you are looking for below or on our website, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Our team is ready to assist you in whatever way we can.

How do I contact the VSS?

Telephone: 02890 279 100 – We are available to answer calls during the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

E-mail: enquiries@vssni.org – This e-mail address can be used to contact us and share documents electronically. It is monitored remotely and you will receive a response within 1 working day, if required.

You can continue to contact us also By post – we encourage you to submit any necessary paperwork by post to the following address:

Victims and Survivors Service,
1st Floor Seatem House
28-32 Alfred Street
Belfast
BT2 8EN

Our first priority is, and will remain, to continue to support victims and survivors and their families.

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, please call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.  Lifeline is available 24-7.  Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.

When will I receive my Self-Directed Assistance Payment for 2024/25?

Our financial year runs from April to March each year – before we can issue your payment, we must wait until our budget has been confirmed by The Executive Office, this is not likely to happen until the end of April, meaning we will be unlikely to make the Self-Directed Assistance (cash) payments to you before early May 2024.

If you normally receive this  payment by cheque but would prefer to receive future payments by BAC’s payment, please contact us by telephone/email and a member of the Health & Wellbeing team will be happy to assist.

When will I receive my award for Home Heating this year?

The Persistent Pain – Home Heating scheme for 2024/25,  can only open when our budget has been confirmed by The Executive Office. This is not likely to happen until the end of April, meaning we will be unlikely to make this payment to you before early May 2024.

The scheme has changed from previous years. Individuals are no longer required to submit receipts for Home Heating ahead of receiving a payment, instead a £500 cash payment will be made to existing award recipients as a contribution towards their home heating costs.

This scheme is closed to new entrants.

I am struggling financially – is there any help I can get from VSS?

Yes, some of VSS’ funded community & voluntary organisations are able to provide welfare support to victims and survivors. They will be able to outline the support that is available and how you can access this. Organisations that provide Welfare Support are: Wave Trauma Centre, Relatives for Justice (RfJ), South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), The Ely Centre and CALMS (Community Action for Locally Managing Stress).

You can find more information on these organisations and in your area using our interactive map.

How can I apply for the Troubles/Victims Payment Scheme?

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is now open for applications until 31st August 2026.

You can apply online at www.victimpaymentsboard.org.uk. Detailed guidance on applying for the Scheme is also available on this website.

You can download, print and submit a paper copy to the Victims’ Payments Board at:

Victims’ Payments Board

PO BOX 2305,

Belfast,

BT1 9AX

If you have difficulty using the website you can make contact with the Victims’ Payments Board using the details below:

T: 0300 200 7808

E: vpb@justice-ni.gov.uk

What is the role of VSS in the Scheme?

VSS are not administering or carrying out assessments in relation to the Scheme. However, we have established a network of trained Welfare Advisors at our funded partner organisations that can assist you in making an application. If you would like to avail of this support please contact one of the below organisations directly, or alternatively, you can call us on: 02890 279 100 to discuss further.

WAVE

T: 02890779922

E: adminhd@wavetrauma.org

The Ely Centre

T: 02866320977

E: injuredscheme@relativesforjustice.com

Relatives for Justice (RF)

T: 02896949327

E: injuredscheme@relativesforjustice.com

South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF)

T: 02867723884

E: welfare@seff.org.uk

Ashton Community Trust

T: 028 90 742255

E: bohinfo@ashtoncentre.com

If you wish to find out more information about our services, please contact us on 028 90 279100 or email enquiries@vssni.org

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