Universal Credit claimants could get extra £25: When does Cold Weather Payment Scheme end?
As winter gets colder and colder, Britons across the UK will likely be digging out their winter wardrobe – if they haven’t already done so. While extra layers may help, cranking up the central heating in a bid to keep warm will be a must for many people this winter. This will no doubt come at a cost, which is why during very cold periods of weather, recipients of certain benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit may get a one-off payment.
The Cold Weather Payment Scheme is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This payment may be paid if a person is getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.
Should the average temperature in the individual’s area be recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for seven days in a row, the eligible person will get the payment.
This is £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather, while the scheme is running.
READ MORE: Low income families ‘to choose between heating & food’ this winter: What help can you get?
Universal Credit: The Cold Weather Payment may be available in periods of very cold weather (Image: GETTY)
When does the Cold Weather Payment Scheme end?
The scheme runs between November 1 2019 to March 31 2020.
During this time, after each period of very cold weather in a person’s area, they should get the payment within 14 working days.
The money is paid into the same bank or building society account as the individual’s benefit payments.
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It does not need to be applied for, as those eligible should be paid it automatically.
If a person does not receive a Cold weather Payment which is due, then they are instructed to tell their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.
Those who get Universal Credit are advised to sign into their account and add a note to their journal, and those who do not have an online account should instead ring the Universal Credit helpline.
A person is instructed to tell Jobcentre Plus if they get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance and they’ve had a baby or a child under 5 has come to live with them.
Universal Credit: The cold weather can incur extra costs (Image: GETTY)
Otherwise, they will not automatically get the payments.
Who is eligible for the Cold Weather Payment?
It may be that a person can get the payments if they are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit – if the claimant is not employed or self-employed
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Additionally, they must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be in receipt of a disability or pension premium
- Have a child under five living with you
- Be in receipt of Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work
- Be in the work-related activity group or support group
- Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Have a disabled child in the household – if a person is receiving Universal Credit they will receive a CWP where this applies, whether the claimant is working or not.
Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “It’s critical that the most vulnerable get support when they need it most and sustained periods of cold weather can cause people to worry about their fuel bills.
“We know how important it is that people keep their homes warm during any cold snap, and cold weather and winter fuel payments enable them to do so.”
How to check if a Cold Weather Payment is due
In colder periods, some people may wonder whether they could be about to receive a Cold Weather Payment.
In order to check whether this will be happening, the eligible person can enter their postcode into the Government’s Cold Weather Payments postcode checker.
They simply need to enter the first section of the first part of the relevant postcode.
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