Households across the UK receiving certain benefits could get up to £25 a week extra cash from this month as part of a winter support scheme.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to check their eligibility for Cold Weather Payments, which are paid automatically to those who qualify.
The payments, worth up to £25 per week, are triggered when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, OC or below for seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to an eligible household’s postcode.
The £25 payments are then issued automatically to those receiving certain benefits to help cover heating costs during the colder months, with payments rolling out from this month.
The money will appear in bank statements within 14 days of each seven-day period of cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, with the DWP confirming the payment reference will start with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP CWP’ for people in England and Wales.
To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments, you must be claiming at least one of the following benefits:
-
Pension Credit
-
Income Support
-
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
-
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
-
Universal Credit
-
Support for Mortgage Interest
You may also be eligible if you meet any of the following additional criteria:
-
you have a disability or pensioner premium
-
you have a child who is disabled
-
you receive Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
-
you have a child under the age of five living with you
-
you have a severe or enhanced disability premium
-
you (or your partner if you have one) have a health condition or disability and have limited capacity for work
You don’t need to apply for the payment as it will be paid automatically if you’re eligible. If you think you’re entitled to the payment but you haven’t received it then you should contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. You can also check if your area has had a cold weather payment by typing in your postcode on the government website.
If you get Universal Credit you can sign in to your account and add a note to your journal, or ring the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 if you don’t have an online account.
