The Department for Work and Pensions has announced NEW bonus payments set to land in January after the £10 Christmas Bonus. January bonus payments in the form of Cold Weather Payments, worth £25 or £50, are set to be triggered amid the UK cold snap.
A total of 51 postcode areas will get the extra £25 payment which are available across England and Wales to people who are already in receipt of one or more benefits. It is believed around 3.9 million people can claim the payment under the DWP scheme.
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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People can claim the financial help if they are receiving the following benefits: Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.
If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025, the DWP stipulates on its website in a handy guide. 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.
Anyone going into hospital when these payments are triggered must tell the pension service or Jobcentre as it may affect payments. This can be done on the online account by adding a note to journals or ringing the Universal Credit helpline.