Waking up to the temperature reading below zero can be a shock to anyone, especially during the current cost of living crisis where many households are scrimping on their heating and finding alternative ways to stay warm. But if you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, you might be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment.
The Cold Weather Payment Scheme is available in Bristol and runs from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. They are different to Winter Fuel Payments, which are paid out to anyone eligible, born before September 26, 1956.
A Cold Weather Payment will be paid out to those eligible if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below, over seven consecutive days. For each seven day period between the set time frame, you'll get £25, according to the gov.uk# website.
Read more: Martin Lewis' electrical and microwave must-buys to stay warm without turning on heating
Cold Weather Payments due in Bristol by postcode
We checked each Bristol postcode to see how many Cold Weather Payments are due, following periods of cold weather, in each area. All information is correct at time of writing (January 17) but may change following future cold weather - you can check your postcode for up-to-date information here.
- BS1 to BS24 - 1 (December 6 to December 12, 2022)
- BS25 to BS28 - 2 (December 4 to December 10, 2022 & December 11 to December 17, 2022)
- BS29 to BS49 - 1 (December 6 to December 12, 2022)
How to claim and how you will be paid?
You don't need to apply for the Cold Weather Payment Scheme. If you're eligible, you will be paid it automatically. You'll receive £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.
After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should receive payment within 14 working days. It will be paid into the same bank account or building society as your benefit payments and will not affect your other benefits in any way.
If you have a baby or a child under five comes to live with you
You should tell Jobcentre Plus if you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance and:
- you've had a baby
- a child under five comes to live with you
You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not.
If you do not receive your Cold Weather Payment
You should tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should've received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. If you're getting Universal Credit, sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.
If you do not have an online account, ring the Universal Credit helpline instead. The phone number is on letters about your Universal Credit claim.
How to know if you're eligible
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you're claiming:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Those living in Scotland cannot get Cold Weather Payments but may get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
You'll usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and have any of the following:
- a disability or pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you receive income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity or support group you'll usually receive Cold Weather Payments. If you're not in a group, you might receive Cold Weather Payments if you have any of the following:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Universal Credit
If you claim Universal Credit and you and your partner (if you have one) are not employed or self-employed, you'll usually receive Cold Weather Payments. One of the following must also apply:
- You or your partner have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity)
- You have a child under five living with you
You'll also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim. It doesn't matter whether you or your partner are employed, self-employed or not working.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
You'll usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you get SMI and have any of the following:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Hospital stays
You should tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you go into hospital as this could affect your payment. If you receive Universal Credit, sign into your account and add a note to your journal - if you don't have an online account, ring the Universal Credit helpline instead (the phone number is on letters about your Universal Credit).
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