The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a Cold Weather Payment scheme, providing financial support during chillier months for eligible recipients. For those that qualify, a payment will be given if the average temperature in their area is recorded as or forecasted to be 0C or below for more than seven consecutive days. The scheme rolled out on November 1 and runs through to March 31 next year.
The £25-per-person boost comes as Brits are bracing for an Arctic blast of snow and ice as colder weather is expected to set in across much of the UK this week. The Met Office put out back-to-back yellow snow and ice weather warnings that will continue today and into tomorrow.
Northern England and north Wales could face showers that will turn increasingly wintry with hail, sleet and some snow. Forecasters said snowfall between 1cm to 3cm could accumulate in some places and areas above 300 metres could see 5cm to 10cm on Monday morning.
During these especially cold periods in England and Wales, when the temperature goes zero or below, eligible people will automatically receive the money. This means payments will be given for each seven-day period when conditions are met, reports WalesOnline. The Gov.uk site reads: “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 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.”
Who will benefit from the scheme?
However, only qualifying people will receive the money. For those who are on income-related ESA, the eligibility criteria includes having a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child, receiving Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element or having a child under five living with you.
While Universal Credit claimants will be eligible if they or their partner are not employed or 'gainfully self-employed', have a health condition or disability and have a 'limited capability for work', or have a child under five living with them. People on support for mortgage interest will be eligible for the payment if they have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium or a disabled child. People who receive Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element or have a child under five living with them will also be eligible for the scheme.
Payments will be deposited in the same bank or building society account that receives benefit deposits. You do not have to apply for the scheme but will however need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with you.
It is also worth nothing that these payments do not affect any other benefits you may have that and are different from the Winter Fuel Payments. People living in Scotland are not eligible for the Cold Weather Payment scheme. Find out if your area in England and Wales is due a payment by clicking here.