Households in parts of the UK have checked their bank accounts to find special payments from the Government. The cash boost is worth up to £50 and has been triggered by the current cold snap which has brought sub-zero temperatures.
When the weather stays particularly cold over an extended period, the Government pays out money to vulnerable and low-income groups. These are known as Cold Weather Payments. This is to help ensure those facing the harshest conditions can keep their heating on amid health fears when temperatures drop so low.
Payments are worth £25 for every week of very cold weather. People in some areas have already been paid £50.
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However, the money isn’t paid out everywhere – only to areas where the coldest temperatures are recorded. Areas of the country to receive payments so far include parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland. People can check if payments have been issued in their postcode here.
Britain has experienced sub-zero overnight temperatures for almost two weeks during the freezing spell, which has triggered emergency payments in the worst-hit areas. But the latest weather forecasts show the window for payments may soon be closing.
Milder temperatures are expected over the coming days. While it will still feel cold on mornings, temperatures are expected to climb to 10C on Tuesday as conditions return to the expected average for the time of year.
The Government says of Cold Weather Payments: “You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.”