Northern Ireland's Post Office has apologised to customers who were unable to get their benefits paid after branches ran out of money.
Many people will have to go without payments over the Easter weekend after local offices in Derry and the greater Belfast region were ran outof money in an unexpected pre-holiday rush.
The situation was exacerbated by the release this week of the Northern Ireland Executive's £150 subsidies to householders experiencing fuel poverty.
The demand for the fuel payments along with ordinary benefit claims ahead of Easter was far greater than the Post Office had expected.
A post master in Derry paid customers out of his own pocket.
Post Office Spokesman said it was working to ensure money was available next week.
