The Department for Work and Pensions is handing benefits claimants a free £25 bonus – if they live in 26 postcodes. 26 postcodes have seen Cold Weather Payments triggered after the UK snow snap continued up and down the country.
The DWP scheme offers a Cold Weather Payment is £25 a week for each 7-day period – or forecasted 7-day period – of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year, the DWP has also explained in its guidance.
To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments the average temperature in your area needs to have been, or be forecasted to be, 0˚C or less for 7 days in a row. You can’t receive Cold Weather Payments if you live in a care home.
READ MORE UK set for -16C snow on Saturday and Sunday with eight cities battered
You also need to be receiving certain benefits, such as: The specified benefits include Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit. You qualify if you have an award of Universal Credit and you are not employed or self-employed, and have the limited capability for work element, disabled child element (whether you are employed or not), or a child under five living with you.
You qualify if you have an award of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance that includes a disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, or a child under five living with you. You qualify if you have an award of income-related Employment and Support Allowance that includes the support or work-related component, a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, or a child under five living with you.
You qualify if you have a Child Tax Credit award that includes a disability or severe disability element.
Postcode areas that will receive a cold weather payment are:
CA9 Leadgate, Cumbria
CA10 Cliburn, Cumbria
CA11 Catterlen, Cumbria
CA12 Keswick, Cumbria
CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
CA17 Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
LA8 Kendal, Cumbria
LA9 Kendal, Cumbria
LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria
LA21 Coniston, Cumbria
LA22 Lakes, Cumbria
LA23 Windermere, Cumbria
NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland
NE47 Allendale, Northumberland
NE48 Bellingham, Northumberland
NE49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland
TD9 (parts on English side of border)
DG14 (parts on English side of border)
Northern Ireland
BT24BT25BT26BT30BT31BT32BT33BT34