23 October 2023 , 10:49
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Cold Weather Payments are awarded to eligible households in England and Wales when the temperature drops, with the scheme set to launch again very soon.
Each payment is worth £25 and is triggered when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. Cold Weather Payments start again on November 1 and will run until March 31 next year.
You need to be claiming certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest to be eligible for this help. Most people will get the payments automatically, although some households will need to apply. You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're in receipt of:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (If you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (If you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (If you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Universal Credit (If you and your partner are not employed or "gainfully" self-employed, and you or your partner have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or you have a child under five living with you. You will be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim, regardless whether you or your partner are employed, self-employed or not working)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (If you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
If you claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will need to contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus to get a Cold Weather Payment if:
- You've had a baby
- A child under five has come to live with you
You can receive multiple payments if you get several periods of freezing weather, with the cash normally paid within 14 working days. Once the scheme is active, you can check if you are due a payment in your area by looking up your postcode.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
If you've not received a Cold Weather Payment and you think you're eligible, contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland anymore - instead, there is an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment.