To help support people during cold snaps like these, qualifying households receive a one-off payment of £25, triggered by a seven-day period during which the temperature is at or below zero degrees.
Around 674,000 households from over 441 postcode areas across the UK can now expect a payment.
“Combined with the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign and our Triple Lock commitment – set to increase the State Pension by up to £2,100 over this Parliament – we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this winter.”
The payments are given to people claiming benefits such as universal credit and pension credit to help them cope with the extra costs of heating a home in freezing temperatures.
To be eligible for the cold weather payment, you receive at least one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
Those who are not receiving Pension Credit also typically need to have a health condition, caring responsibilities, or young or disabled children.
The scheme operates from November 1 to March 31, and there is no cap on the number of payments households can receive, so further cold weather could result in additional payments.
For example, last year a number of Lake District residents received three separate payments, totalling £75.
Those eligible will get the payment automatically, paid to the same bank account they receive benefit payments.
It should arrive within 14 working days of the cold period, with the payment reference ‘DWP CWP’.
Anyone who believes they should have received a payment but has not should contact the DWP.
Here is the full list of over 400 postcodes eligible for the cold weather payment:
