Special Cold Weather Payments could soon be triggered for millions of people, with temperatures expected to plummet over the coming days. The little-known £25 cash payment is handed out by the DWP to low-income households and pensioners during cold snaps to help people with heating costs and other essentials.
Wintry blasts have been predicted towards the end of November and start of December, while snow has been forecast for some parts of the UK. The plunging temperatures could trigger the release of the Cold Weather Payment.
Those eligible will get a payment "if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days". It means it has to be particularly cold over a prolonged period for the payments to be triggered.
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But authorities will be monitoring temperatures closely, aware that a particularly cold spell could mean millions receiving more money in the run-up to Christmas. The DWP says those who meet the criteria will get a £25 payment "for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31".
People could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment if they received any of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
The DWP says people will also "usually" get payments if you get Pension Credit. They explained: "You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.
"You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31."
They added: "Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments."
