Cold Weather Payments: Britons in 160 areas eligible for up to £75 DWP energy bill support - full list here
GB News
Cold Weather Payments offer vulnerable households vital energy bill support during period of sub-zero temperatures
Britons could be able to access vital energy bill support this winter amid a period of extremely cold weather that has hit much of the UK in recent weeks. Hundreds of thousands of families could be eligible for free cash through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) via the Cold Weather Payment scheme.
Those entitled to a Cold Weather Payment usually receive £25, which goes towards paying their gas and electricity costs. However, in recent years, some households have received up to £75 from the DWP.
What is a Cold Weather Payment?
This is a Government scheme that provides a top-up benefit payment to low-income households to help pay their energy bills. The initiative runs from November 1 to March 31 every year.
Eligible households get £25 for every seven-day period their postcode experiences, or is forecast to experience, sub-zero temperatures. Temperatures need to be recorded at the postcode's local weather station.
Earlier this month, the first Cold Weather Payments were triggered in Cumbria, Northumberland and the English side of the Scottish Borders. Some 160 postcodes have since had their payments triggered.
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Is your postcode eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
GETTYWho is eligible for the Cold Weather Payment?
This payment is reserved for eligible households living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Residents in Scotland can access alternative support, such as the Winter Heating Payment.
Claimants need to be receiving certain means-tested support from the DWP in order to qualify for this assistance. This is to ensure the money is going to low-income households.
Here is a full list of the qualifying DWP benefit payments:
Households need to be eligible for means-tested support from the DWP to qualify for the Cold Weather Payment
PAHow do I claim the Cold Weather Payment?
Anyone in receipt of the energy bill should automatically receive the support in the bank or building society account to which their benefits are delivered. No action should need to be taken.
The Cold Weather Payment is usually delivered within two weeks of the initial qualifying period of sub-zero cold weather. Cold Weather Payments do not affect entitlement to other benefit support.
However, there have been cases when someone who believes they are entitled to the £25 sum has not been paid. Households are urged to contact the Pension Service or local Jobcentre Plus if this is the case.
Households in 160 postcodes across the UK are, so far, eligible for Cold Weather Payments based on data taken in by the Charlwood, Andrewsfield, Brize Norton, Tibenham and Shap weather stations.
Here is a full list of the postcodes Cold Weather Payments have been triggered
Charlwood weather station
Andrewsfield weather station
Brize Norton weather station
Shap weather station