As the UK continues to shiver in plummeting temperatures, Britons could be eligible for some extra cash in the coming months. However, there’s a risk that some benefit claimants may miss out on the Cold Weather Payment, a scheme administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The payment is awarded to those receiving certain benefits for every seven consecutive days where the temperature falls to 0C or below. The scheme, which kicked off on 1 November this year and will run until 31 March 2026, currently provides £25 for each qualifying seven-day period.
With temperatures continuing to fall nationwide, numerous households across the country stand a better chance of receiving the payment. According to the latest forecast from the Met Office, various regions of the UK are at risk of sub-zero temperatures, with snow and ice predicted across different areas.
If these low temperatures persist for seven days, many could become entitled to the payment.
Chief Forecaster Steve Willington commented: “We’re still in the grip of a cold, Arctic air mass today and into Friday, and that means further wintry showers for some, and ice, particularly overnight. Multiple warnings are currently in place, with new warnings for the overnight period issued.
“Temperatures will fall sharply again tonight, with lows potentially reaching -12°C in rural parts of Scotland and widely below freezing elsewhere. As temperatures fall overnight, ice will form on untreated surfaces and may cause some travel disruption tonight and into Friday morning.”
Full list of benefits eligible for Cold Weather Payment
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in charge of issuing these payments. To qualify, you must be receiving payments for the following benefits:
- Income Support (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Universal Credit (if you’re not employed or “gainfully” self-employed, your partner is not employed or “gainfully” self-employed – you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you get severe or enhanced disability premium, or a pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled,or a child under five living with you)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Pension Credit
All the benefits that aren’t eligible for the payment
A wide variety of non-income-related benefits do not meet the criteria for automatically receiving the Cold Weather Payment. This includes:
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Bereavement Allowance
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Carer’s Allowance
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Child benefit
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Disability Living Allowance
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Guardians Allowance
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Housing benefit
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Maternity Allowance
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New Style Employment and Support Allowance (unless it’s income-related)
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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Severe Disablement Allowance
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Statutory Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/Sick Pay
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Tax Credits
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War Disablement Pension
Bear in mind, if you reside in Scotland, you won’t receive the Cold Weather Payment, even if you’re receiving a qualifying benefit. Instead, you might be eligible for the Winter Heating Payment, which is valued at £59.75.
Moreover, despite being eligible, some new parents may not automatically receive the Cold Weather Payment like most other eligible individuals. If you’re claiming Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you’ll need to contact Jobcentre Plus if you’ve recently had a baby or a child under five has come to live with you.
This implies that you’ll have to apply for the Cold Weather Payment through Jobcentre Plus. If you’re eligible, payments should be automatically transferred into your bank account within 14 working days.
You can check if you’re due a payment in your area by using a postcode checker on GOV.UK.
