How to check if you will get DWP Cold Weather Payment as Storm Bert hits UK

Storm Bert has been wreaking havoc across the UK this weekend. Widespread disruption has been seen due to snow, rainfall and windy weather.

The first Cold Weather Payments worth £25 were triggered this week. These are issued by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) when the average temperature where you live dips below 0C for seven consecutive days.

The scheme is available for people in England and Wales who are receiving certain benefits or support for mortgage interest. It began on November 1 and is set to run until March 31, 2025.

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If you are eligible, cash will usually be paid into your bank account automatically. You can check if you are due a payment by entering your postcode on the GOV.UK checker.

Gov.uk reads: "If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.

"It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments." The first payments were triggered in 18 postcodes earlier this week:

• 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 Scottish Borders (parts in England)

• DG14 Dumfries border (parts in England)

The Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits. People in Scotland are not eligible - but you may be able to receive an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit

• Support for Mortgage Interest

If you receive Income Support or income-based JSA, you will usually receive the payments if you have a disability or pensioner premium, have a child who is disabled, receive Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or have a child under 5 living with you. For income-related ESA, you will be eligible if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, get Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element, or you have a child under five living with you.

People claiming Universal Credit can get the payment if they or their partner is not employed or 'gainfully self-employed'. You also have to have a health condition or disability and have a 'limited capability for work', or have a child under five living with you.

With support for mortgage interest, you will be eligible if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium or a child who is disabled. You can also be eligible if you get Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element or if you have a child under five living with you.