Freezing temperatures in Northern Ireland have triggered the first of this winter’s Cold Weather Payments.
The subzero temperatures currently being experienced here comes amid the rising cost of living, meaning many households are having to choose between heating and eating.
A yellow weather warning for ice is currently in place, with further spells of wintry conditions expected as we head into next week.
Read more: Details on where to see snow as lows of -11 expected in NI this weekend
As a result, the Department for Communities has announced that Cold Weather Payments will be paid to people who qualify for the funding in postcode areas covered by the Met Office’s Katesbridge weather station.
The postcode areas affected are BT24, BT25, BT26 and BT30, BT31, BT32, BT33 and BT34. Only those qualifying customers living in these postcode areas will receive the £25 payment.
Payments will be made automatically and there is no need to make a claim. Customers can expect to receive their payment by next Wednesday 14 December.
The Cold Weather Payment is available when the average temperature is recorded or is forecast to be zero degrees centigrade or below, for a period of seven consecutive days.
To qualify for a Cold Weather Payment a person must be receiving:
- State Pension Credit; income related Employment and Support Allowance and are in the Work Related Activity or Support Group;
- Universal Credit that includes an amount in respect of a disabled child or qualifying young person, for at least one day in a period of cold weather; or
- Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance for at least one day in a period of cold weather; and have any of the following:
- a dependent child aged under five;
- a relevant pensioner or disability premium;
- Child Tax Credit which includes a relevant disability element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled; or
- Universal Credit for at least one day in a period of cold weather; and where a Cold Weather Payment is payable in relation to a recorded period of cold weather they must not be employed or self-employed on any day during that period; or where a Cold Weather Payment is payable in relation to a forecasted period of cold weather they must not be employed or self-employed on the day that the Met Office supplies the Department with the forecast; and they must also have any of the following:
- a dependent child aged under five;
- be in receipt of or have an underlying entitlement to Limited Capability for Work or Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity;
- Support for Mortgage Interest, and have any of the following:
- a dependent child aged under 5;
- a relevant pensioner or disability premium;
- Child Tax Credit which includes a relevant disability element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled.
The Cold Weather Payment trigger was reached at Katesbridge weather station based on a forecast of the temperature over the seven day period from December 6-12.
Cold Weather payments are in addition to the Winter Fuel payments, made to people born on or before 25 September 1956.
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