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DWP Triggers Cold Weather Payments For 200,000 People

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DWP Triggers Cold Weather Payments

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DWP announced that 200,000 more people in England and Wales would be eligible for Cold Weather Payments this winter. Cold weather payments are being paid out as temperatures plummet. 

According to the latest data, the overall number of those who would qualify increased by around 5% than last year, with 4.1 million people qualifying in total. That means 4,116,000 people in all could receive these payments.

Cold Weather Payments ease people with certain benefits or mortgage interest support. It is a £25 scheme that is automatically switched on for an area once the meteorological office shows it’s been freezing in the locality for seven days running or will be over a week.

With Christmas just around the corner, this payment could make all the difference to those struggling to keep their homes warm. So, the DWP has announced a further 200,000 Cold Weather Payments. And here’s everything you need to know.

Cold Weather Payments Have Been Triggered Across Hundreds of Postcodes

In total, the Met Office activates Cold Weather Payments for postcodes when it records the average temperature falling below freezing for seven consecutive days. 

So, the DWP triggers cold weather payments for another 200,000 people. The system ensures that money reaches those who need it most when the country experiences severe cold snaps.

In the last winter, 364,000 payments were issued across England and Wales at a cost of £9.1m to taxpayers. Many areas saw more than one cold snap. 

Cumbria for example saw three separate periods when the Shap weather station triggered £25 payments to those eligible – a total of £75.

However, not everywhere qualifies for the payments. Because, for many areas, it simply has not been that cold. Payments are postcode-specific – that is to say, only when areas are experiencing particularly low temperatures do they get that money. 

You can check to see if your area will be due using the DWP cold weather payments postcode tool. It is updated daily according to data from the Met Office.

DWP Triggers Cold Weather Payments for Another 211 Postcodes

So far this winter, DWP triggers cold weather payments for another 211 postcodes across areas including Cumbria and Northumberland. For example:

  • Shap weather station in Cumbria: Payments for postcodes CA10-12, CA16-17, LA8-10, LA21-23 covered around 5,000 eligible recipients.
  • Redesdale weather station in Northumberland: Postcodes CA9, NE19, NE47-49 supported 1,000 recipients.
  • In all, close to 6,000 have been paid the £25 payment following freezing temperatures recorded in late November.

The DWP, along with the Met Office, monitors the conditions at 71 weather stations in the UK. These monitor rural as well as urban areas to determine when the payments should be triggered. For instance:

  • A freeze at Heathrow weather station could trigger payments for 609,000 people in 278 London postcodes and cost £15.2 million.
  • In all, 333,000 residents of Birmingham living across 150 postcodes could be paid for it via Coleshill weather station in Warwickshire – in total, £8.3m.

The DWP has announced a further 200,000 cold weather payments this year, providing extra relief as temperatures plummet. Payments are automatic, so there’s no need to apply—just ensure your details are up to date with Jobcentre Plus.

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What Postcodes Are Getting Cold Weather Payments?

The latest postcodes to get Cold Weather Payments have been updated, so those most affected by freeze temperatures get financial support.

Therefore, to answer your question, “What Postcodes Are Getting Cold Weather Payments?” here are the newest areas where payments have been rolled out:

January 12:

  • Redesdale: CA9, DH8, NE19, NE47–NE49
  • Shap: CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA8–LA23

January 13:

  • Albemarle weather station, Northumberland: DH1–DH9, DL4–DL17, NE1–NE45, SR1–SR7, TS21, TS28, TS29
  • Bainbridge, Yorkshire: BD23, BD24, DL8, DL11–DL13
  • Benson, Oxfordshire: HP5–HP23, HP27, OX9–OX49, RG9, SL7–SL9
  • Bingley, Yorkshire: BB4–BB12, BB18, BD1–BD22, HD3, HD7–HD9, HX1–HX7, LS21, LS29, OL13, OL14, S36
  • Charterhall, Scottish Borders: NE71, TD12, TD15
  • Fylingdales, North Yorkshire: YO13, YO18, YO21, YO22, YO62
  • Leek Thornecliffe, Staffordshire: DE4, DE45, S32, S33, SK13, SK17, SK22, SK23, ST9, ST10, ST13
  • Libanus, Powys, Wales: CF37–CF83, LD3, NP4, NP11–NP24, SA9
  • Marham: CB6, CB7, IP24–IP28, PE12–PE38

To check if your area is eligible, use the DWP cold weather payments postcode tool online.

All You Need to Know About Cold Weather Payments

Cold weather payments help persons who receive certain kinds of benefits with heating costs during freezing weather. Each £25 payment is issued automatically for each seven-day period of freezing temperatures in your area. The system makes the payment when you meet the conditions. 

Are You Eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

You can get a cold weather payment if you are getting any of these:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Universal Credit
  • Mortgage Interest Support

The system pays it to you automatically. You don’t need to make a claim. You will need to contact Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change and you have a new baby, or a child under 5 comes to live with you.

Additional Criteria

Depending on your benefit, you may also have to meet the following conditions:

  • Having a child under five living with you.
  • Getting a Child Tax Credit and having a disabled child as an element.
  • Being in a work-related activity group ESA.
  • Having a disability or pensioner premium.
  • A health condition limits your ability to work.

Scottish Cold Weather Payment

Eligible individuals receive the Winter Heating Payment instead of the Cold Weather Payments in Scotland. 

What is Winter Heating Payment?

It is a one-off payment and costs £58.75 only. The systems will award it automatically. Payments will start in December 2024. This is to assist with winter heating.

How does it work?

You will not have to apply. Social Security Scotland will determine whether or not you are eligible. It will use the information provided within your existing benefit.

Receiving the payment won’t affect any other benefits you get. This system will ensure that households in Scotland receive adequate support to meet the needs associated with heating in winter.

Cold Weather Payment Northern Ireland

You get £25 if you live in Northern Ireland. This payment is for each 7-day period. It applies when the average temperature is 0°C or below, either recorded or forecast. The cold weather payment Northern Ireland applies between November 1 and March 31 each year.

You don’t need to make a claim for cold weather payment in as the gov pays it automatically if you get certain benefits. Its aim is to help toward the increased heating costs on days when the temperature is significantly low.

If you think that you have missed a payment, contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office to check.

The Bottom Line

As the DWP triggers cold weather payments for another 200000 people, it is a very helpful way to help with heating during freezing periods. 

The gov pays it automatically, provided that one qualifies. And they do not affect any other benefits that the individual may be receiving. 

The rules may be a little different if you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or England, and Wales – but the principle is the same – to keep you warm. Check the weather forecast to see whether your area qualifies!

Frequently Asked Questions

The cold weather payments do not affect other benefits. The gov pay it automatically. There is no need to make an application. Your eligibility will be reconsidered every year, so check your benefit details are right. If freezing weather hits your postcode, you can be sure that assistance is on its way to keeping your home warm.

You will receive £25 for each 7 days. This is when the average temperature in your area is 0°C or below. It applies during winter, from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. If it freezes for another seven days, you will get a further payment.

You don’t need to apply or do anything to claim cold weather payment! This is paid automatically into your bank account once it is decided that you might qualify. How will I get paid automatically? The Department for Work and Pensions monitors the weather and triggers payments for qualifying postcodes. But if you think you should have received a payment but have not transferred, contact your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service to check.

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