An estimated four million people in Britain fall under the criteria for a cold weather payment, figures show.
Among those four million households, 13,000 are currently due an energy rebate because they live in one of six areas where weather stations have been ‘triggered’ this year.
That means they are eligible for a cold weather reimbursement and are therefore able to receive £25.
Cold weather subsidies are offered to households who may fall under the vulnerable or low income brackets – it is paid during times of especially freezing weather.
This is determined by Met office readings between November 1 and March 31 each year. When temperatures dip below zero-degrees for one week or more, a £25 rebate kicks in.
To be eligible, you need to be receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Universal Credit.
Households can check if a payment is due in their area using the DWP’s cold weather payment postcode checker.
It shows that between November 1, 2021 and February 11, 2022, six British weather stations received cold weather triggers, all of which were in Scotland.
These areas include Aboyne, Aviemore, Loch Glascarnoch and Braemar which received three triggers.
Within these regions there were 13,000 eligible recipient households in total.
Across all Great Britain, 3,994,000 people would be eligible for a cold weather payment if all stations were triggered, in theory.
Further cold temperatures and extreme weather are expected over the coming weeks across the UK.
The Met Office has announced new yellow weather warnings against the backdrop of Storm Eunice.
This week Storm Franklin brought more high winds across the country, so households can use the postcode checker to monitor if weather stations are triggered.
As wholesale energy prices continue to soar, millions of families are facing higher energy bills from April.
Ofgem said the energy price cap will rise by £693 to £1,971 on April 1, with the ukraine -crisis> Ukraine crisis threatening an even higher rise from October.
The price cap applies a limit to the cost per unit that energy companies can charge for their default or standard variable tariffs (SVTs) – this amount may go up or down based on usage.
Alex Hasty, director at comparethemarket.com, who conducted the research, said: “We encourage those eligible to claim their Cold Weather Payment from the Department of Work and Pensions this winter.
“Should cold weather continue to impact a number of households across the country, the £25 could be useful to help offset rising fuel costs during periods of harsh weather. As the energy market crises continues, we welcome initiatives that will help people navigate this difficult period.”
If you've experienced freezing temperatures over this winter, check your postcode to see if your area qualifies for a £25 payment.
- AB30
- AB31
- AB32
- AB33
- AB34
- AB35
- AB36
AB37
- AB38
- AB51
- AB52
- AB53
- AB54
- AB55
- DD8
- DD9
- PH10
- PH11
- PH18
- PH19
- PH20
- PH21
- PH22
- PH23
- PH24
- PH25
- PH26
- IV4
- IV6
- IV7
IV13
- IV14
- IV16
- IV23
- IV24
- IV63
