Cold Weather Payment
If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.
You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:
- a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
- a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
- a disabled child premium
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child who is under five in the family
How much do I get?
This year (2010) you will get £25 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November 2009 to 31 March 2010. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.
How can I find out if a Cold Weather Payment has been triggered?
There is a postcode search facility on the Direct Gov website. (This link will open in a new window)
How many weather stations have triggered payments so far?
As of 6 January 2010, 61 of the 85 weather stations have triggered a payment since 1 November (some of them have triggered three or four payments so far).
Why use postcodes linked to weather stations?
This is the most straightforward way to run the scheme. The Meteorological Office advises that the network of 85 weather stations is sufficient to provide national coverage with a reasonable level of local sensitivity.
How do I apply?
You don't need to apply; you'll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically as long as you qualify.
The payment is paid in the same way as you receive your usual benefits. So if your benefit is paid directly into a bank account, the Cold Weather Payment will be paid into the same account. If you usually receive a cheque, that is how you will receive the payment.
Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but haven't.
Will Cold Weather Payment affect other benefits?
Cold Weather Payments will not affect other benefits.
When will I get the money?
You will generally receive a payment within a week of it being triggered. Find out if your postcode has been triggered using the postcode search facility on the Direct Gov website. (This link will open in a new window)
Is Cold Weather Payment the same as a Winter Fuel Payment?
No, the Cold Weather Payment is a separate payment, paid on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.
So what is the Winter Fuel Payment?
Winter Fuel Payments are paid (mostly before Christmas) to those aged over 60. The amount of the Winter Fuel Payment is currently £250 for pensioners aged 60-79 years living alone. (£125 if they share a home with another eligible person). For people aged 80 or over the amount payable is £400 (£200 if they share a home with another eligible person aged 80 or over).
More information
Visit the Direct Gov website - Cold Weather Payment section. (This link will open in a new window)
