Thousands of households could be in line for £25 Cold Weather Payments in the coming days as temperatures plunge to freezing levels across the country. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues special payments during periods when temperatures drop to 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
The Met Office has issued a warning about potential sub zero temperatures in the days ahead. With an Arctic blast bringing freezing conditions and snow expected in parts of the UK until January 6, many vulnerable households may qualify for the emergency support.
What are Cold Weather Payments?
These payments are designed to help low-income households manage increased energy bills during particularly cold spells of weather. It is particularly useful considering recent hikes to Ofgem's energy price cap.
The DWP's Cold Weather Payment scheme is triggered when the average temperature in a post code is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. Payments are usually awarded directly to the bank account claimants receive benefits.
Each qualifying cold weather period results in a £25 payment to eligible households. However, there are been some instances of households receiving up to £75 due to experiencing multiple weeks of extremely cold temperatures.
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What is the Met Office's warning?
The UK's national weather and climate service has issued a yellow weather alert spanning three days, starting from 12pm on Saturday, January 4 until 9am on Monday, January 6. This comes mere days after the price cap jumped to £1,738 per year for January to March 2025.
This represents a 1.2 per cent hike from the previous quarter and means millions on a variable tariff will pay more for average energy usage. The Met Office has also issued amber cold weather health alerts for all of England, effective from 12pm on Thursday until Wednesday, January 8.
In the weeks ahead, the Met Office forecasts that the unsettled period from New Year will "yield to colder conditions" with air from the north flowing across the UK. In response to this, Britons are being urged to check their eligibility for energy bill benefits.
Recently, Chancellor Rachel Reeves means-tested Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners. Going forward, pensioners will need to be in receipt of means-tested support from the DWP, such as Pension Credit. Despite this, there have been no changes to the Cold Weather Payment's eligibility rules.
Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, households must be receiving specific benefits including Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
Eligible residents do not need to apply for the payments, as they will be paid automatically if they meet the criteria. However, recipients may need to inform Jobcentre Plus if they have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with them.
Payments are made based on temperatures recorded at local weather stations, so some areas may get payments while others do not. Daytime temperatures across the UK are expected to struggle to rise above four degrees celsius in the coming week, with some areas experiencing even colder conditions.
Next week's forecast indicates conditions that could potentially trigger the Cold Weather Payments scheme. The Met Office has warned of wintry weather, with snow expected in parts of the UK from today until Monday, January 6.
James Longley, the managing director at Utility Bidder, emphasised that these winter schemes provide vital support for vulnerable groups. He urged households to enquire into what Government and energy firm support they could be entitled to.
"These schemes are not just about immediate financial relief - they play a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups such as pensioners, low-income households, and individuals with disabilities," he said.
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"Households should also explore other measures, such as Government grants for home insulation or boiler upgrades, which can provide lasting energy savings." Longley also cited how combining relief from winter schemes with long-term efficiency improvements can help homes manage current challenges.
These measures can help build resilience against rising energy costs while contributing to broader government goals. The initiatives promote energy efficiency and help families stay warm while reducing overall energy consumption.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. The payments do not affect other benefits recipients may be receiving. Those who qualify will receive the payments automatically, with no need to submit an application.
Any money is intended to help vulnerable households cope with increased heating costs during freezing temperatures. Residents can check if their area is due for a Cold Weather Payment by monitoring local temperature forecasts and recordings.
Find Out More...
The Met Office has issued a warning about potential sub zero temperatures in the days ahead. With an Arctic blast bringing freezing conditions and snow expected in parts of the UK until January 6, many vulnerable households may qualify for the emergency support.
What are Cold Weather Payments?
These payments are designed to help low-income households manage increased energy bills during particularly cold spells of weather. It is particularly useful considering recent hikes to Ofgem's energy price cap.
The DWP's Cold Weather Payment scheme is triggered when the average temperature in a post code is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. Payments are usually awarded directly to the bank account claimants receive benefits.
Each qualifying cold weather period results in a £25 payment to eligible households. However, there are been some instances of households receiving up to £75 due to experiencing multiple weeks of extremely cold temperatures.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
What is the Met Office's warning?
The UK's national weather and climate service has issued a yellow weather alert spanning three days, starting from 12pm on Saturday, January 4 until 9am on Monday, January 6. This comes mere days after the price cap jumped to £1,738 per year for January to March 2025.
This represents a 1.2 per cent hike from the previous quarter and means millions on a variable tariff will pay more for average energy usage. The Met Office has also issued amber cold weather health alerts for all of England, effective from 12pm on Thursday until Wednesday, January 8.
In the weeks ahead, the Met Office forecasts that the unsettled period from New Year will "yield to colder conditions" with air from the north flowing across the UK. In response to this, Britons are being urged to check their eligibility for energy bill benefits.
Recently, Chancellor Rachel Reeves means-tested Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners. Going forward, pensioners will need to be in receipt of means-tested support from the DWP, such as Pension Credit. Despite this, there have been no changes to the Cold Weather Payment's eligibility rules.
Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, households must be receiving specific benefits including Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
Eligible residents do not need to apply for the payments, as they will be paid automatically if they meet the criteria. However, recipients may need to inform Jobcentre Plus if they have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with them.
Payments are made based on temperatures recorded at local weather stations, so some areas may get payments while others do not. Daytime temperatures across the UK are expected to struggle to rise above four degrees celsius in the coming week, with some areas experiencing even colder conditions.
Next week's forecast indicates conditions that could potentially trigger the Cold Weather Payments scheme. The Met Office has warned of wintry weather, with snow expected in parts of the UK from today until Monday, January 6.
James Longley, the managing director at Utility Bidder, emphasised that these winter schemes provide vital support for vulnerable groups. He urged households to enquire into what Government and energy firm support they could be entitled to.
"These schemes are not just about immediate financial relief - they play a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups such as pensioners, low-income households, and individuals with disabilities," he said.
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"Households should also explore other measures, such as Government grants for home insulation or boiler upgrades, which can provide lasting energy savings." Longley also cited how combining relief from winter schemes with long-term efficiency improvements can help homes manage current challenges.
These measures can help build resilience against rising energy costs while contributing to broader government goals. The initiatives promote energy efficiency and help families stay warm while reducing overall energy consumption.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. The payments do not affect other benefits recipients may be receiving. Those who qualify will receive the payments automatically, with no need to submit an application.
Any money is intended to help vulnerable households cope with increased heating costs during freezing temperatures. Residents can check if their area is due for a Cold Weather Payment by monitoring local temperature forecasts and recordings.
Find Out More...