As the winter weather continues to pummel the UK we find ourselves reaching for the heating – if we can afford it.
The icy temperatures and snow have triggered Cold Weather Payments for millions – but is the £25 extra government cash really enough to keep warm? A total of 51 postcode areas will soon receive the money, including Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, East Lancashire and Burnley, with a new interactive map showing any eligibility.
The heating benefit is available across England and Wales to people who are already receiving one or more benefits. It is believed around 3.9 million people can claim under the Department for Work and Pensions scheme.
The payments can be triggered any number of times when the mercury dips to dangerously cold levels. The good news is people don’t need to apply for it – they will automatically see the money if they are receiving a range of benefits.
A statement from the government said: “If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.”
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But is £25 truly enough to help those struggling to heat their homes in winter? With energy bills rising year on year, such a payment may feel like it barely scratches the surface of what people actually need to stay warm. Heating an average UK home can cost anywhere between £5 and £15 per day during the winter months, depending on the size of the property and how often the heating is on.
It’s not hard to imagine how quickly that extra money could disappear, particularly for those living in larger homes or with more people to heat. For someone already on a tight budget, £25 might feel like it’s nowhere near enough to get through a full week of freezing temperatures. And let’s be honest, heating isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. But with energy prices going up, many people are being forced to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table.
It’s a tough situation, and raises the issue of whether the cold weather payment should be reviewed and increased to reflect the reality of the costs people are facing.
What do YOU think? Are the cold weather payments enough? Take our poll above and expand on your feelings in the comments below.