Thousands of households across the UK could be due a £25 rebate on their energy bills as polar temperatures continue to sweep through large parts of the UK.
It comes after the Met Office warned areas such as the Midlands, Oxford, Hereford, Herfordshire and Cambridge should brace for snow - with a yellow warning for snow and ice already in place across Northern Ireland, Scotland and north-west England.
If you've been hit by the arctic temperatures, you could be owed £25 on your energy bill in the form of a Cold Weather Payment.
This is the scheme that runs from November 1 to March 31 every year - and gives those struggling financially an energy bill discount.
The payment goes to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as pension credit or certain employment benefits, when temperatures sink to below 0°C in their local area.
Payments are triggered by data collected by the Met Office from 94 weather stations around Britain.
If you do qualify, you'll get a £25 a week payment for every seven-day spell of cold weather you experience.
This money is paid within 14 days - see more on how it works below.
Cold Weather Payments checker - check if you qualify
If you're experiencing freezing weather in your area, check if you're owed money by entering your postcode here.
After each period of very cold weather in the area, the eligible person should get the payment within 14 working days.
If you're struggling with your bills, find out more on all of the energy discounts available to you, here.
How to claim a Cold Weather Payment
If you qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid automatically after each seven-day period of freezing weather. You should receive your payment within 14 working days.
Contact your pension centre or 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.
To find out if cold weather payments are in force in your area click here.
If the temperature falls to 0 or less for a week or longer, you can get in touch with the DWP to make a claim.
Meanwhile, if you've had a power cut due to bad weather, here's how to get a refund.
Who qualifies for a Cold Weather Payment?
The scheme is offered to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit or certain employment benefits.
In addition, millions people aged 65 and over, also meet the criteria for winter fuel payments every year.
The average temperature in your area needs to have been 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days. You can check your area’s temperature by using the DWP’s cold weather payment postcode checker or our handy guide here.
Below is a list of the benefits you'll need to be in receipt of (read more on whether you qualify for benefits, here):
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit
You can keep up to date on the weather on the Met Office's twitter page.
