Brits relying on a variety of benefits may be eligible for extra financial help when temperatures reach their coldest throughout this coming winter.
The Cold Weather Payment is a payment that can accumulate when the average temperature in your area is recorded, or forecasted, to be zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. In this scenario, you may receive £25 for each seven-day period of extremely cold weather.
People all across the country will begin receiving the money from the scheme from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. It's important to note that the Cold Weather Payment is different to Winter Fuel Payments which exclusively helps to pay heating bills and has a different set of criteria for eligibility.
Furthermore, you do not need to apply for Cold Weather Payment as it will be paid automatically if you meet the eligibility criteria.
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:
What to do if you have not received a Cold Weather Payment
If you believe you are eligible for Cold Weather Payment but have not received anything, your first point of call should be to contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. If you claim Universal Credit and have not received a Cold Weather Payment, then you should sign into your GOV.UK account and add a note to your journal.
However, if you do not have an online Universal Credit account, then you can ring the Universal Credit helpline - the number should be on letters about your Universal Credit claim.
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