Heavy snowfall is expected to blanket huge parts of the UK in January. The wintry conditions predicted have prompted alerts from both the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who have warned of plunging temperatures.
The colder weather could impact vulnerable people or those with health conditions. A number of weather warnings from the Met Office are also in place.
When temperatures drop below freezing, the Government hands out cash to some households to help them warm their home. Cold Weather Payments worth £25 are issued by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) when the average temperature in your areas dips below 0C for seven consecutive days.
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People in England and Wales who are receiving certain benefits or support for mortgage interest are eligible for the scheme. Cold Weather Payments could be triggered in some areas in the coming days.
Gov.uk reads : “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.”
Cash is usually be paid into your bank account automatically and does not affect your other benefits. It is paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.
You should receive the payment within 14 working days, Gov.uk said. People may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if they receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Check if you are due a payment by entering your postcode on the GOV.UK checker. Anyone living in Scotland does not qualify but you may be able to receive an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.