Two million households to get share of £50m ‘big freeze’ Cold Weather Payments after being hit by the ‘Beast from the East’– find out if you’re eligible for one
ALMOST two million households will get a share of £50million Cold Weather Payments after being hit by the “Beast from the East” last week.
Following the crippling cold snap the Government will hand out the largest weekly sum for five years, with £25 going to eligible householders.
Those in the West Midlands will get the highest payout of £8million, followed by £7million for homes in Yorkshire and Humberside.
To be able to get one of the payments the temperature in your postcode area needs to have remained at, or below zero, for seven days running between November 1 and March 31.
You also need to be in receipt of one of five particular benefits.
The Cold Weather Payments are separate to Winter Fuel Payments, which are automatically paid to those born before August 1953 to help heat their homes.
The announcement on the extended payments was made by the minister for family support, housing and child maintenance, Kit Malthouse.
He said: "As we all experienced last week, extreme weather has the potential to cause a number of problems but what cold weather shouldn't do is discourage anyone from turning up their heating to keep warm."
His department revealed in the week ending Friday 2 March, payments were triggered in 38 areas meaning 1,995,000 people will be receiving £25 each, meaning the Government will be paying out £49,900,000.
How do I know if I’m eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
You’re eligible for the Cold Weather Payment scheme if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits and meet certain criteria:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
People who meet one or more of the following additional criteria are usually eligible:
- Be in receipt of a disability or pension premium
- Have a child who is disabled
- Be in receipt of Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
- Have a child under 5 living with them
- Regardless of employment, Universal Credit claimants are eligible if they have a disabled child amount in their claim.
The temperature in your postcode area needs to have remained at, or below zero, for seven days running between November 1 and March 31.
To .
The cold weather payment is paid automatically the following Friday, so you don’t need to do anything extra to receive it
But if you don’t receive a payment and believe you’re eligible then you can tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office, or call the Universal Credit helpline.