The UK government has activated cold weather payments for over 400 postcodes, providing crucial financial support to vulnerable households during chilly weather. This initiative is part of a broader effort to assist families facing increased heating costs amid freezing conditions.
Cold Weather Payments Overview
Eligible households can receive a one-off payment of £25 when temperatures drop to zero degrees or below for a continuous seven-day period. Currently, around 674,000 households across more than 441 postcodes will benefit from this assistance.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for cold weather payments, individuals must be receiving certain types of benefits, including:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
In addition to receiving these benefits, applicants not on Pension Credit typically need to have caring responsibilities, a health condition, or young or disabled children to qualify.
Payment Details and Timeline
The cold weather payment scheme is active from November 1 to March 31. There is no limit on the number of payments households may receive, meaning further cold snaps could lead to additional support.
Payments are processed automatically, directly credited to the bank accounts where regular benefits are received. Recipients can expect to see the £25 payment within 14 working days following the qualifying cold period, marked with the reference ‘DWP CWP’.
Taking Action
If you believe you should have received a cold weather payment but have not, contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for assistance.
Full List of Eligible Postcodes
To access the complete list of eligible postcodes, visit El-Balad for detailed information and support regarding cold weather payments.
