With temperatures set to drop over the coming days, many people across the UK will be wanting to keep their homes warm. But as the cost of living crisis rumbles on, this can be a difficult task for some.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers a special payment for thousands of people when the weather takes a cold turn. Cold Weather Payments of £25 are issued when the average temperature in your area is recorded as – or forecast to be – 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
As snow and a drop in temperatures is expected in January, this could trigger the payments. The payments are automatic and do not affect your other benefits.
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You might be eligible for the special payment if you are already claiming Pension Credit; Income Support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Universal Credit or support for Mortgage Interest. A Cold Weather Payment will be made for every qualifying period between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
Gov.uk says: “If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7 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.”
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings for snow and ice this weekend. A yellow weather warning for snow will come into force at midnight on Sunday, January 5, and end at noon on Monday, January 6. It will affect Scotland and parts of northern England.
An amber weather warning for snow will be in force between 9am on Saturday, January 4, until 11.59pm on Sunday, January 5. Areas impacted include the West Midlands, East Midlands, north east England, north west England, and Yorkshire and Humber.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice will be in place between noon on Saturday, January 4, until 11.59pm on Sunday, January 5. It will affect the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North East England, North West England, South West England, Wales, and Yorkshire and Humber.
An amber weather warning for snow and ice is also in force between 6pm on on Saturday, January 4, until noon on Sunday, January 5. Areas impacted include West Midlands, East Midlands, London and south east England, north west England, south west England, Wales, and Yorkshire and Humber.