As temperatures across the UK drop, with the current cold snap prompting the Met Office to warn of blizzards, households across the UK will be considering whether to turn up the heat in their homes. But as the worry of fuel prices and energy bills continues, the question of 'will the falling temperatures trigger another Cold Weather Payment' has arisen.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which pays out the cash boost, states that you’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You'll be eligible for the payment if you're getting certain government benefits or support for mortgage interest.
With the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for snow on Thursday, March 9, and remaining in place for Friday, March 10, there is the possibility that the £25 payment could be triggered. The amount is paid for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.
READ MORE: Hour-by-hour Nottinghamshire weather forecast as Met Office map warns of UK 'blizzards'
To date, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents meeting the criteria have received one payment during the current qualifying period. Between Wednesday, December 7, 2022, and Tuesday, December 13, 2022, a Cold Weather Payment was triggered. The Government used temperatures recorded at the weather station in Watnall to determine the decision. Whether the current cold spell will trigger another payment will depend upon how long the plummeting temperatures last.
Lows on Wednesday are expected to be 0C, and, while Thursday's forecast currently stands at lows of 1C, Friday's -3 prediction will certainly send a chill across the county. Below is everything you need to know about the DWP's Cold Weather Payments including how to check if your postcode qualifies for a payment.
Who gets the Cold Weather Payment?
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits. These include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
There are various criteria, details of which can be found on the Government website. However, to explain more, if you get:
Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You’ll usually get 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)
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group. If you’re not in either group, you might also get 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
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit and you’re not employed or self-employed. One of the following must also apply:
- you 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, whether you’re employed or not.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Support for Mortgage Interest (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
How low does the temperature have to go?
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. So, just one night of a minus figure won't trigger the payment.
How much do you get?
For each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, you’ll get £25 for each day. You can check if you can get a payment in your area by clicking here. Be aware that Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments.
After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment straight into your bank or building society within 14 working days. It’s paid in the same way you receive your benefit payments. Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits.
What else should I know?
If you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance and have a baby or a child under five who lives with you, make sure you tell Jobcentre Plus. You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not.
How do I check if the payment has been triggered?
You can check if a payment has been triggered by heading to the government website and typing in your postcode. Following the link here to the Cold Weather Payment postcode checker.
How do I claim?
You won't need to apply for this payment as it should be paid automatically when the temperature dips for the required period of time. However, if you haven't received a payment and you think you should, tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. 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.
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