DWP Cold Weather Payment alert issued with first postcodes set to be triggered

UK households have been put on alert for £25 Cold Weather Payments as postcodes look poised to be triggered by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). The UK is facing its first snow warnings of winter from the Met Office - as hopes strengthen for £25 payouts.

A Cold Weather Payment is £25 a week for each 7-day period – or forecasted 7-day period – of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year. To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments the average temperature in your area needs to have been, or be forecasted to be, 0˚C or less for 7 days in a row. You can't receive Cold Weather Payments if you live in a care home.

If you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid automatically after each 7-day period of cold weather. You should receive your payment within 14 working days. If you think you should've received a Cold Weather Payment but didn't, contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office. If you receive Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344.

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You could be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting Pension Credit or Income Support (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you).

Other benefits included include Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you) and Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you).

Universal Credit (if you're not employed or "gainfully" self-employed, your partner is not employed or "gainfully" self-employed - you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you) is another eligible benefit.

And so is Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you).