Millions of people across parts of the UK will be able to claim a payment from the Department of Work and Pensions this winter when temperatures plummet.
Cold Weather Payments will be paid out by the DWP to people on certain benefits between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025 to help pay for heating bills.
For the payment to be triggered, the average temperature in your postcode area must be, or forecast to be, 0c or below over seven consecutive days.
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Claimants will get £25 for each seven-day period where the weather is below this threshold.
The payment has not been impacted by the decision to make major changes to eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, cutting that benefit for millions of pensioners.
The Labour government plans to reduce the number of people eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300, by means-testing the benefit. Last winter, all pensioners were entitled to the one-off payment, which usually lands in bank accounts from November. However, this winter, the DWP will only pay the money to pensioners if they are claiming Pension Credit or certain other benefits.
Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
You will receive Cold Weather Payments if you receive any of the following:
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Pension Credit
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Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – you also need to have one of the following: 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 five living with you
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – you also need to be in a work-related activity group or support group, or have one 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 five living with you
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Universal Credit – you also need to be unemployed and either have a disability or a child under five living with you
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Support for Mortgage Interest
You do not need to apply for the payments and it will be made automatically if you are eligible. You should get a payment within 14 working days of when the payment is triggered.
Claimants in Scotland are not eligible for Cold Weather Payments but they may get an annual Winter Heating payment. Full eligibility criteria is available on the government website here.
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