The scheme means those eligible will get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather in their area. Specifically, this means a payment if the average temperature in the area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

After each period of very cold weather in the area, the triggered payment should be received within 14 working days.

The money is paid into the same bank or building society account as the eligible person's benefit payments.

It may be something of a relief to know Cold Weather Payments do not affect other benefits one receives.

While it's usually paid automatically, there are instances when a person will need to take action.

This may be the case for people who have had a baby or have had a child under the age of five coming to live with them.

Those who are in this circumstance and also getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance will need to tell Jobcentre Plus.

"You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not," the government warns.

Furthermore, if a Cold Weather Payment was expected but not received, the person should tell their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.

Further eligibility rules for some of these benefits will apply, and the details on this can be found on the government website.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been releasing details regarding which postcodes have been triggered, something which Express.co.uk has regularly been reporting on.

It's also possible to check a particular postcode online, via the GOV.UK postcode checker.

The user should input the first part of their postcode, then press "continue".

They will then be informed of the number of Cold Weather Payments due in this area from the start of this winter's scheme to date.