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The first cold of winter brings snowfall in parts of Britain The temperature has dropped below zero In some parts of the country.
Yellow weather warning of snowfall and ice has been issued by the Met Office for some areas It looks like the cold weather will continue.
To help people during such cold, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Runs the Cold Weather Payment Scheme for eligible families.
This is a one-off payment of £25 which is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in an area is at or below zero degrees.
The scheme is different from the Warm Home Discount, which is set to shave £150 off the energy bills of six million homes this winter. This is 2.7 million more than the previous year, according to the Department of Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ). Announced the expansion of the scheme.
People claiming certain means-tested benefits, like the Cold Weather Payment, are eligible for exemptions.
Ofgem’s energy price cap The price for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales rose by 2 per cent from October 1, as colder temperatures forced many people to switch on their central heating.
This means the average household paying for gas and electricity by direct debit has had its energy bill rise from £1,720 to £1,755 a year.
Am I eligible for Cold Weather Payment?
Families are eligible for payments if they receive any of the following:
- pension credit
- income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- universal credit
- Support for mortgage interest
Payments are launched for those who live in an area where there have been zero or sub-zero temperatures for seven days. Anyone who wants to check whether their postcode is in an eligible area can use useful tool of government,
The DWP uses its own equipment to measure temperatures in all UK postcodes. If a person disagrees with its decision, it is possible to appeal directly to the department.
The scheme runs between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026. Payment has not been started in any postcode yet.
Families in Scotland are not eligible for the scheme, as the Scottish Government has implemented it instead winter heating payment,
When will I get paid?
If eligible, families will receive these payments automatically. They must receive the benefit payment within 14 working days of the winter period into the same bank account in which they receive the benefit payment.
Anyone who believes they are eligible but have not received a payment should contact the DWP.