Households in certain parts of the UK are now entitled to Cold Weather Payments for the first time in 2024 which comes as massive relief to households struggling to pay their energy bills.
Cold Weather Payments have been triggered due to some areas experiencing sub-zero temperatures which qualifies them for an extra £25 from the Department for Work and Pensions.
What is a Cold Weather Payment?
This is a one-off sum of money totalling £25 which is handed out to households based in an area experiencing sub-zero temperatures over a seven-day period.
It is administered by the DWP and one of the most well-known schemes in the country to help families bring down energy costs.
With the recent means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment, many older households will be looking towards Cold Weather Payments to slash their energy bills this year.
It should be noted that Scotland has its own variation of the scheme: Winter Heating Payments.
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Are you eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
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Who is eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
In order to get this support, households need to have seen temperatures drop on or below zero degrees and be on at least one of the qualifying DWP benefits.
These include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest.
To determine who is eligible, their DWP uses special equipment to measure temperatures across all postcodes in the UK.
Anyone who does not receive a payment and disagrees with the DWP’s judgement is able to appeal the decision.
Which postcodes have triggered a Cold Weather Payment?
Here is a full list of the postcodes that should expect a Cold Weather Payment if they meet the eligibility criteria:
- CA9 Leadgate, Cumbria
- CA10 Cliburn, Cumbria
- CA11 Catterlen, Cumbria
- CA12 Keswick, Cumbria
- CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
- CA17 Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
- LA8 Kendal, Cumbria
- LA9 Kendal, Cumbria
- LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria
- LA21 Coniston, Cumbria
- LA22 Lakes, Cumbria
- LA23 Windermere, Cumbria
- NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland
- NE47 Allendale, Northumberland
- NE48 Bellingham, Northumberland
- NE49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland
- TD9 (parts on English side of border)
- DG14 (parts on English side of border).
When will households get their Cold Weather Payment?
Anyone who is eligible for a Cold Weather Payment should get their £25 from the DWP automatically with no application being necessary.
This payment should be sent to the same bank or building society account claimants get their benefit payments or state pension paid into.
It will be delivered within 14 working days of the initial seven-day cold period.
Those who believe they are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, but have not been paid, are encouraged to reach out to the DWP.
