DWP - Cold Weather payments, which benefits qualify for additional payment

Cold weather payments can be a godsend for those in need. Paid out when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

Those entitled to the payment will be awarded £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2022 and 31 March 2023. The Cold Weather payment is different from the winter fuel payment, which should have been paid by now.

The Cold Weather payment is available to people on certain benefits. It is used to help low-income homes cover the cost of heating their homes in particularly cold weather.

Read more: North East postcodes now due two DWP Cold Weather Payments

What benefits entitle you to Cold Weather Payments?

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Universal Credit

• Support for Mortgage Interest

If you have a baby or a child under five who comes to live with you tell Jobcentre Plus if you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not.

How can I claim my Cold Weather Payments?

You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.

If you do not receive your Cold Weather Payment but believe that you should, then get in contact with the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. If you receive Universal Credit, you can sign into your online 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 the letters about your Universal Credit claim.

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