Week: 6^th February – 12^th February 2021

INFORMATION

Temperatures are freezing in many parts of the UK and are set to drop even lower as the week goes on.

Fuel use and bills are likely to rise, and with more people at home under lockdown, those bills could grow very steeply.  However, there is help on hand for people receiving benefits, in the form of Cold Weather Payments from the government.

For more information check on the government website:

https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/

Who are Cold Weather Payments for?

Cold Weather Payments are a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills during times of exceptionally cold weather.

Eligibility:

These payments are not age-related. To qualify, you must already be eligible for one of five benefits:

Pension Credit

Income Support or Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance.

One of the following must also apply:  a disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under 5 living with you

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

You will usually get Cold Weather Payments if you are in a work-related activity group or support group. If you are not in either group, you might also get Cold Weather 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 or a child under 5 living with you.

Universal Credit. You will usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit and you are 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 will also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your UC claim, whether you are employed/self-employed or not.

Each Cold Weather Payment is paid for a seven-day period and is worth £25. The scheme covers the period between 1 November and 31 March each year.

https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility

 How are the payments triggered?

The average temperature in your area must be recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row. This temperature needs to be recorded by the weather station nearest to your postcode. You can check whether you’re eligible by entering the first part of your postcode at https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/

If you are eligible you will be paid automatically. You do not need to make a claim. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.