The winter season often sees a surge in expenses for many households. As temperatures drop, the instinctive response is to crank up the thermostat, leading to an increase in energy bills.
However, assistance is available for low-income households struggling with high energy costs. A special payment of £25 could be distributed to thousands of UK households in anticipation of the predicted wintry weather.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides Cold Weather Payments during periods of cold weather. These payments are made when the average temperature in a household’s area is recorded or forecast to be 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
A special payment worth £25 could be issued to thousands of households
(Image: Getty)
With snow expected in parts of the UK from today until Monday, January 6, the January cold snap could trigger the issuance of Cold Weather Payments. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert spanning three days, commencing at 12pm on Saturday, January 4.
This alert will remain active until 9am on Monday, January 6, reports Birmingham Live.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued cold weather health alerts for all of England ahead of a week of low temperatures. Amber alerts have been issued from 12pm on Thursday until Wednesday, January 8.
The Met Office has forecast colder conditions for the beginning of the year, stating that the unsettled period from New Year will “yield to colder conditions” with air from the “north flowing across the UK”.
To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, households must meet certain eligibility criteria. This includes being on benefits such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
More information can be found here. A £25 payment will be made for every period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31. Households have been informed that they do not need to apply for Cold Weather Payments as they’ll be paid automatically if eligible.