The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to launch the Cold Weather Payments scheme for 2024 soon. Those on certain benefits or receiving support for mortgage interest could be eligible for these payments.
Automatic £25 payments are made to some residents in England and Wales when the mercury dips below 0C for seven consecutive days. While the scheme isn’t currently active, it’s due to kick off shortly.
The scheme is slated to be reintroduced on November 1 and is anticipated to run until March 31, 2025. As per Gov.uk: “If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.”
“After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.”
The payments are deposited into the same bank or building society account as benefit payments.
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Eligibility for Cold Weather Payments may apply if you receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
These Cold Weather Payments do not impact your eligibility for other benefits. However, if you reside in Scotland, you won’t be able to receive these payments but might qualify for an annual Winter Heating Payment instead, according to Birmingham Live.
If you’re on Income Support or income-based JSA, typically, the payments are received if you have a disability or pensioner premium, have a disabled child, receive a Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element, or have a child under 5 living with you. For those on income-related ESA, eligibility criteria include 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.
Universal Credit claimants can qualify for the payment 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. With support for mortgage interest, you will be eligible if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium or a disabled child.
Eligibility also extends to those who receive Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element or have a child under five living with them. You can verify your eligibility for the payment using the Government’s postcode checker.