Families claiming certain benefits will be getting an extra £25 to help cope with winter bills next month - but only if the thermometer dips below freezing for seven days in a row.
The Cold Weather Payments scheme kicks off again on November 1 and runs until March 31, and will pay the money each time the temperatures fall to zero degrees or less for seven or more consecutive days. The scheme is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and applies every winter.
But figures published by the Government this year show that although there are an estimated 4 million eligible recipients for Cold Weather Payments in Great Britain, milder winters mean the occasions when the payments are made are few and far between. Last year, there was only six triggers in the whole of the November-March period, and all of them were in Scotland from late December to early January.
Read more: Families fear a bleak Christmas after getting no gas bills since January
If you do qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid automatically and the money should arrive in the bank account you already have registered with the DWP. Payment should arrive within a fortnight.
The support could be a welcome boost this year to many families on low incomes, as energy bills soar amid the cost of living crisis. The energy price guarantee scheme announced by the Government last month brought the cost to the average family down to £2500 a year instead of the £3,549 a year set under the energy price cap, but it's still nearly double the £1,277 a year the average family was paying last year. And remember the £2500 quoted is for an average family - use more and you'll pay more..
You can check if your postcode is due a payment from November 1 here
The six benefits which may entitle you to the payment are:
Pension Credit
Income Support: You’ll usually get the cold weather payments if you're paid a disability or pensioner premium, have a child who is disabled, claim Child Tax Credit with a disability or severe disability element or have a child under 5 living with you
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance: You’ll usually get the cold weather payments if you're paid a disability or pensioner premium, have a child who is disabled, claim Child Tax Credit with a disability or severe disability element or have a child under 5 living with you
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance: You’ll usually get cold weather payments if you get income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group. If you’re not in either group, you might also get the payments if you receive a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, have a child who is disabled, claim Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or have an under5 living with you.
Universal Credit: You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit and you’re not employed or self-employed. One of the following must also apply: you have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity) or you have a child under 5 living with you. You’ll also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim, whether you’re employed or not.
Support for Mortgage Interest: You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you have any of the following: Aa severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, claim Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or have a child under 5 living with you.
Read more:
- Brits shiver until 24 October before turning on heating but how low can you go?
- Nine ways to cut the cost of using your tumble dryer this winter
- Households worry £400 energy vouchers will be delayed due to postal strikes
- Changes to Warm Homes grant mean some miss out this year - list in full of who is eligible
- The real cost of charging your phone overnight - and you might be surprised
- Thousands more to get £400 energy rebate including tenants who pay all-inclusive bills
