Thousands of people could be eligible for a £25 payment from the DWP as winter weather sets in. The Cold Weather Payment goes out to people on one of six qualifying benefits when the weather forecast predicts temperatures will drop below frozen over a consecutive seven-day period.
The Met Office’s latest insights suggest that many UK areas could soon experience the bite of icy temperatures, which may activate these payments. But it’s worth noting these payments may not arrive straight away as they go out within a certain timeframe.
The Government website states: “After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.”
(Image: Chris Young/PA Wire)
Payments may be triggered in some areas but not in others, as it depends on the temperatures for reach region. The funds also only go out in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Residents in Scotland instead get the Winter Heating Payment, a one-off payment regardless of the winter weather.
This lump sum lands between December and February, with the qualifying criteria otherwise the same as those for the Cold Weather Payment. To be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you have to be claiming one of these six benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
If your funds don’t arrive you think you are eligible, you can call the Pension Service if you claim Pension Credit, while claimants of the other benefits can contact their local Jobcentre Plus. The topic of DWP payments during the winter has risen to prominence lately with changes to the eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth £200 or £300 this year.
The payment previously went out to most people of state pension age, but Labour has changed the rules so you now need to be on a qualifying means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit. If you’re not receiving the payment this year, it’s definitely worth doing a check to see if you qualify for Pension Credit, as hundreds of thousands of eligible people miss out on this cash boost.
The benefit provides help to those on a low income, with the average claim worth over £3,900 annually. You can find out if you can claim any benefits using an online calculator tool, such as the one on the Turn2us website.