Those who live in cold weather areas in the UK are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment from the government. The payments, which are made from November to March, are a way to help low-income families cope with the winter.
People on low incomes
Thousands of households on low incomes will get Cold Weather Payments to help pay for energy bills this winter. The payment is made automatically and should be received within 14 days of below-zero temperatures.
People on benefits, including Pension Credit, Income Support, Universal Credit, Jobcentre Plus, Child Tax Credit and Disability Living Allowance, are eligible to receive a Cold Weather Payment. The payment will be issued in the same bank account as your other benefit payments.
The payment will be paid to you if you live in a UK town or city that’s below freezing for at least seven consecutive days. It’s worth PS25 per week. If you are on benefits, make sure you’re signed up. If you’re not, contact your local Jobcentre Plus. You can also use the Warm Home Discount Scheme to get a rebate on your heating costs.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for Cold Weather Payments. It will pay money to households in hundreds of postcodes. You can find out if you qualify for this by visiting the UK Government website.
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Those in receipt of certain benefits
Those in receipt of certain benefits may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment. This is a small amount of extra money paid for each week that the average temperature in your area is below zero degrees Celsius. These payments are paid into the same bank account as your other benefit payments.
The payment is designed to be helpful for households with low incomes. It is intended to provide additional financial support during the winter, which will help offset the cost of heating your home.
Although you might be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, it doesn’t mean you will receive it automatically. You will need to make a claim if you are not receiving the benefit. If you are eligible, you should get a check within 14 days of applying. If you are not getting a check, you should contact your local pension centre.
There is a Cold Weather Payment checker that you can use to find out if you are eligible. You can also get advice on energy usage from Perth and Kinross Climate Action.
DWP scheme runs from November to March
DWP is running a scheme called the Cold Weather Payment from November to March to give people extra money when temperatures drop below zero. The payment is designed to help pay for heating bills during the winter months.
You’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you receive certain benefits. You can check online to see if you’re eligible. The DWP has already made payments to over three million households. If you think you may be eligible, you can enter your postcode and get a result within two weeks.
The DWP is encouraging people to apply now. They’re also providing transitional protection for people receiving Tax Credits. The scheme is part of the government’s Energy Price Guarantee. During the winter, millions of British households experience big increases in their heating bills. This can be straining on poorer people during a time of high energy costs.
The DWP will make cold weather payments to anyone on certain state benefits, but you must have a claimant commitment. This is a written agreement that outlines the number of hours you agree to work.
Scottish residents not eligible
Several areas of the UK have experienced extremely cold temperatures this winter. These have been accompanied by severe cold weather alerts issued by the Met Office. In parts of the UK overnight temperatures could dip to -10 degrees Celsius. This can make it difficult for people to stay warm.
The Department for Work and Pensions has stepped in to provide PS25 Cold Weather Payments to households struggling to keep warm. These are normally paid between November and March. They are only available in England and Wales. If you think you may be eligible, contact your local council to find out if you are.
The Scottish Government is planning to introduce a new heating benefit, formerly known as Low Income Winter Heating Assistance, in Winter 2022/23. This will offer a reliable annual PS50 payment to around 400,000 households on low incomes.
This will help to reduce inequality and increase warmth for some people who are in need. The money will be provided through Social Security Scotland. In February next year, payments will begin automatically. The new heating benefit will be available to all pensioners and households on low incomes.