What is the government's Cold Weather Payment and who will get it?

What is the government’s Cold Weather Payment and who will get it?

Dec 12, 2022

Temperatures have been plummeting below zero across the UK, leaving some people shivering in their homes due to the spike in energy prices.

In order to help households during the cold weather, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a top-up scheme, called the Cold Weather Payment, to help some people through the tough season.

The Cold Weather Payment aims to help those who need extra income in order to cover the higher energy bills during the cold snap.

Am I eligible?

If you are getting these benefits – you may be eligible to receive the payment:

Not everyone who is in receipt of the above benefits is entitled to the extra payment. It usually depends on whether people have additional needs, because they have, for example: a disability or pensioner premium; a child who is disabled; a child under 5 living with them; or a health condition that limits their ability to work, among others.

What is the payment?

During the cold season, eligible households will be able to receive £25 for each seven-day period of “very cold weather” between 1 November and 31 March, according to gov.uk.

The government defines a period of very cold weather as: “The average temperature in your area must also be recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for 7 consecutive days”, based on the nearest official weather station.

After each period of freezing weather, payments will be made to accounts within 14 working days.

Payments are made into the same bank or building society as your benefits payments.

How to claim

You do not need to apply, as payments will be made accordingly, based on the benefits you already receive.

But if you have a baby or a child under the age of five living in the household and the DWP is not aware of this, you will need to tell Jobcentre Plus.

If you have not received the payment and feel that you are eligible, you should reach out to the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.

If you are currently living in Scotland, you cannot receive the Cold Weather Payment but, instead, you may be able to receive an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment.

Are those in your area able to receive this payment?

You can find out if your area is cold enough for the payment to be made by checking through the Postcode checker on the DWP website.

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