The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued updated guidance on the Cold Weather Payment in time for the winter season.
With temperatures plummeting in the wake of Storm Arwen, it's important that Scots are aware that they may eligible to receive money from the government if the weather turns particularly cold.
Between now and March 31 2022, those receiving certain benefits will be entitled to additional money if the temperature where they live falls to - or is forecast to be - 0 degrees Celsius or lower across a period of seven days in a row.
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People who are able to receive the benefit will be sent £25 for every seven days of cold weather, as reported by the Daily Express.
With rising energy prices, the Cold Weather Payment could make the difference between being able to heat a home or not for many families this winter.
Following each sustained period of cold weather, recipients should receive the money within 14 working days so long as they live in an eligible area.
This payment is issued into the same bank or building society account as benefit payments.
The DWP has revealed that it paid out almost £100 million in Cold Weather Payments last year between November 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
As such, it is encouraging people to once again check their eligibility this year for support.
DWP Lords Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott said: “These additional payments provide support every year to help people experiencing the coldest weather, without anyone needing to lift a finger.
“Cold Weather Payments can be triggered right through to the end of March, giving people facing disproportionately cold weather that extra reassurance over the chillier months.”
People may get a Cold Weather Payment if they are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
People will not usually need to apply in order to receive a Cold Weather Payment, as those who are eligible will be paid automatically.
However, individuals may still wish to keep an eye on when a payment will be triggered in their area.
Understanding this, the Government has developed a Cold Weather Payment postcode checker.
The tool is accessible online and is designed to be simple and straightforward to use.
To check if a payment is due in an area, all people will need to have on-hand is their postcode.
They will simply need to enter the first part of their postcode into the checker - for example, if a postcode is G42 8PW, then they should only enter G42.
The checker will tell individuals whether a payment has been triggered in their area, and how many times.
It uses the local weather vane to determine the temperature in a specific area, which is also listed.
