Forecasters have issued an urgent warning as regions across England are expected to be hit by plummeting temperatures and even snow in the next few days.
It means households all across the country will be forced to turn up their heating but during a cost of living crisis this could have a severe impact on your personal finances. However, you may be eligible for some compensation for blasting the heating on when temperatures are unusually cold for a sustained period of time.
The government-funded scheme aims to help those most vulnerable be able to afford their heating when temperatures are below zero degrees Celsius. If you are eligible for the payments, you could receive some extra cash if the average temperature in your area is recorded as or forecasted to be zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days.
Read more: Expert says £1 item could stop your heating breaking during next week's cold snap
Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payment?
You may be considered for eligibility if you're receiving one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You will generally automatically receive Cold Weather Payments if you are claiming Pension Credit.
Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You may receive Cold Weather Payments if you receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and have any of the following:
- A disability or pensioner premium
- A child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- A child under the age of five living with you
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group. However, if you're not in either of these, you may still be able to receive the payments if you have any of the following:
- A severe or enhanced disability premium
- A pensioner premium
- A child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- A child under the age of five living with you
Universal Credit
You may receive Cold Weather Payments while claiming Universal Credit and are not in employment. However, one of the following must also apply:
- You have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work
- You have a child under the age of five living with you
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
You may receive Cold Weather Payments while getting SMI and have any of the following:
How to claim a Cold Weather Payment
According to the government, there is no need to apply for a Cold Weather Payment. The scheme is currently being run until March 31, 2023 - in that time you can search via the DWP to see if you could receive the payment in your area.
If you are eligible, you should receive the payment automatically. However, if you have not received the payment yet and believe you should have, then you should tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.
If you receive Universal Credit payments, then you can sign into your online account and add a note into your journal. Otherwise, you can ring the Universal Credit helpline (the phone number of which should be on letters about your Universal Credit claim).
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