Britons could be entitled to financial support with their energy bills thanks to the Cold Weather Payment scheme.
The Met Office has issued multiple yellow warnings covering strong winds, rain and ice as Storm Gerrit looks set to cause travel chaos in the UK.
With some areas to be hit by extremely cold weather, households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be looking to check their eligibility for the Cold Weather Payment.
Households in Scotland may get the Winter Heating Payment if they are on low income or certain benefits but this is not paid based on the temperature of areas.
While Cold Weather Payments haven't been triggered in recent days, this could change in light of the Met Office’s warning.
Energy bill support is available through the Cold Weather Payment scheme
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What are Cold Weather Payments?
Cold Weather Payments are awarded to certain households to help with energy bills during periods of really cold weather.
In order to qualify for this support, claimants need to be on either Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.
A payment of £25 is given to households for every seven-day period of extremely cold weather they have to deal with.
It is possible Britons could receive multiple Cold Weather Payments with the scheme running from November 1 to March 31.
How are Cold Weather Payments triggered?
In order to get this energy bill support, the average temperature in the area must be zero degrees Celsius or under for seven days consecutively.
Alternatively, households could be entitled to Cold Weather Payment if it is forecast to be below freezing for this amount of time.
Temperatures have to be recorded at the local weather station which is nearest to your home’s postcode.
It is possible to check your eligibility for this benefit by using the Government’s checker and entering the first part of your postcode here.
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Very cold weather has sparked Cold Weather Payment triggers in parts of the UK GETTYHow to get paid Cold Weather Payments
All Cold Weather Payments are delivered automatically to claimants and paid into their bank accounts within two weeks.
Every seven-day period of extremely cold weather in someone’s postcode will likely trigger a Cold Weather Payment.
Any money awarded to households is paid into the same bank or building society they receive other benefits.
Anyone who has not received their Cold Weather Payment should contact the Pension Centre of Jobcentre Plus Office.
