Cold Weather Payment: how to check postcode eligibility, how much can you get, is it available in Scotland?

Cold weather subsidies are offered to households who may fall under the vulnerable or low income brackets and are paid during times of especially freezing weather.

Millions are being reminded to check if they are eligible for the scheme as temperatures plummet once again. So, over the coming weeks, it is advised to keep record of the temperature in your area to see if you could receive a Cold Weather Payment.

If you are eligible for the cold weather reimbursement you can receive £25 which will be paid within 14 working days.

Cold Weather Payments started again on 1 November 2022 and the scheme will run until 31 March 2023.

What is the cold weather payment scheme?

The scheme is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and applies every winter.

The scheme runs each year from 1 November to 31 March.

Cold weather subsidies are offered to households who may fall under the vulnerable or low income brackets.

It is paid during times of freezing weather, and this is determined by Met Office readings from 94 weather stations around Britain.

When temperatures dip below zero-degrees for one week or more, a £25 rebate kicks in.

If you’re eligible, you will get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you need to be receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Universal Credit.

If you claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus to get a Cold Weather Payment if you’ve had a baby or a child under five has come to live with you.

Households can check if a payment is due in their area using the DWP’s cold weather payment postcode checker.

If you’re experiencing freezing weather in your area, you can find out if you’re owed money by entering your postcode in to the DWP’s online finder.

Check your postcode to see if your area qualifies for a £25 payment:

Is it available in Scotland?

Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland.

However, in Scotland, people on benefits or low incomes may qualify for an annual £50 winter heating payment. Although this is made irrespective of cold temperatures.

How to claim a £25 Cold Weather Payment

If you qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid automatically after each seven-day period of freezing weather.

This money should arrive in the bank account you already have registered with the DWP, and payments should be made within a fortnight.

Contact the pension centre or your local Jobcentre Plus office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but didn’t.

The Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344 can also be used.

What’s been said about the payment?

Alex Hasty, director at comparethemarket.com, has advised people to claim the Cold Weather Payment if they are eligible, especially as energy bills are set to rise in the coming months.

He said: “We encourage those eligible to claim their Cold Weather Payment from the Department of Work and Pensions this winter.

“Should cold weather continue to impact a number of households across the country, the £25 could be useful to help offset rising fuel costs during periods of harsh weather.”

“As the energy market crises continues, we welcome initiatives that will help people navigate this difficult period,” Mr Hasty added.