The season for Cold Weather Payments has began, with some people potentially earning £25 each week. Eligible households will get the payments automatically for each seven-day period they are forecast to have temperatures at zero degrees or below.
The Government benefit top-up, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is meant to be help those who are most vulnerable in these extreme weather conditions to help cover the cost. Last winter season, over 1.4 million payments were made, worth around £35million in England and Wales. People in Scotland may be able to get the Winter Heating Payment instead.
To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments, you must be claiming certain benefits and fulfill specific criteria depending on which benefit you claim.
Benefits that may quality for Cold Weather Payments:
If you claim Pension Credit, you'll only be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you don't live in a care home according to MSE.
Those on Income Support and income-based jobseeker's allowance will qualify if they get a disability or pensioner premium, have a child who is disabled or a child under the age of five living with them.
Income-related employment and support allowance recipients will get Cold Weather Payments if they are in a work-related activity group or support group. If not, they must have one of the following to be eligible:
Universal Credit claimants can usually get the payments if them or their partner are not employed or 'gainfully self-employed'. They must also either have a health condition that means they have limited capability for work or a child under the age of five living with them.
Finally, Support for Mortgage Interest recipients will only qualify for Cold Weather Payments if they have one of the following:
Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme which mirrors the scheme for England and Wales. Social Security Scotland has introduced Winter Heating Payment, its replacement for Cold Weather Payment, for eligible claimants living in Scotland from 1 November 2022.
The payments should be paid automatically but if you qualify because you have a baby or child under the age of five living with you, you will need to inform Jobcentre Plus to receive the payments.