An Arctic blast of cold air has hit the UK, plunging the mercury to below freezing at times and making us all turn that thermostat up a notch or two.
And as winter approaches it's only going to get colder.
Unfortunately the cold weather is here at the same time as spiralling energy bills in the country which has seen a number of energy suppliers fold or enter administration.
The cost of living is rising which includes how much we pay to keep warm in the house.
But for some there is help on hand in the form of cold weather payments.
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below more than seven consecutive days.
And you’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31, 2022.
Check if you can get a payment in your area.
Importantly, cold weather payments are different to winter fuel payments where if you were born on or before September 26 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.
You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you’re eligible and either:
- get the State Pension
- get another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)
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