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 you get?
This year 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
to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are
used to obtain this information.
Find out if your area is due to receive a Cold Weather
Payment
You can now use the postcode search on the Directgov website to
find out if your area is due to receive payment triggered by cold
weather.
Effect on other benefits
Cold Weather Payments will not affect other benefits you may be
getting.
How to apply
You don't need to apply; you'll get a Cold Weather Payment
automatically as long as you qualify.
Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you
should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had
one.
Who to contact at The Pension Service