Cold Weather Payment: DWP unveils support for Britons this winter – are you eligible?

Cold Weather Payments as outlined by the DWP are made available to those who live in particularly cold areas. As the clocks go back and temperatures drop, additional support from the government is likely to be particularly valuable in keeping homes across the country warm. To be eligible, the average temperature in a person’s area must be recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

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If this is the case, Britons can unlock their entitlement to Cold Weather Payments between November 2020 and March 2021.

Those in cold areas will receive £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather within this time frame.

It is, however, worth noting the other eligibility criteria outlined for people to receive the payment from the government.

Cold Weather Payments are available to certain people who are receiving particular benefits or support, which includes:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Support for Mortgage Interest

Cold Weather Payment eligibility

Cold Weather Payment: DWP unveils support for Britons this winter - are you eligible? (Image: Getty)

Those receiving Universal Credit must also have either a health condition or disability with limited capacity for work, or have a child under five to benefit.

People who get income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support will usually get the payments if they also have a disability or pensioner premium, Child Tax Credit including a disability element, a child who is disabled, or a child under five.

Britons on Pension Credit, ESA and Support for Mortgage Interest can expect to receive the support if they live in an area of entitlement.

Cold Weather Payments are made automatically to those who are eligible to receive them, so in most cases no action needs to be taken.

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But to check eligibility, Britons can make use of the checker system online.

By entering the first part of a person’s postcode into the system, they will then be provided with a result which shows the number of Cold Weather Payments which are due in their area.

The payments are due to start from November 1, in just a week’s time, so households should pay attention to what they are set to receive.

And one benefit of the payment is that it does not affect other benefits.

cold weather payment eligibility

Cold Weather Payments: Those who receive Universal Credit may be able to get the payment (Image: EXPRESS)

This means people can claim the support from the government without concern it will reduce the other money they receive.

The government has stated £27million in total was paid out in the 2018/19 year.

This means many people could stand to significantly benefit from the cold weather cash boost.

And with energy bills traditionally soaring in the winter, the money could provide help for extra usage.

Baroness Stedman-Scott, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DWP, commented on the matter.

She said: “Winter can be a difficult time for people, and our Cold Weather Payment will help you keep your home warm as temperatures drop.

“Payments are made automatically but if you think you might be eligible, you can check online to see if your area is due a payment and plan accordingly.”

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