DWP Cold Weather Payment rules and who is eligible for £25 when temperatures plummet

The weather is turning colder and if temperatures plunge below a certain level, you may be eligible to receive £25.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gives out a Cold Weather Payment to qualifying households if the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days. The money is awarded to people on low incomes who receive certain benefits.

The payments are worth £25 per seven day period - but you can receive multiple Cold Weather Payments if you get several periods of freezing weather over winter. The scheme will run until March 31, 2025.

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The cash should be paid into your bank account automatically within 14 working day, although there are some cases where you may need to apply, reports the Mirror. More details about eligibility are given below.

Who is entitled to a Cold Weather Payment?

You could be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting:

• Pension Credit

• 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)

• 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)

• 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 partner must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you)

• 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)

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If you claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus to get a Cold Weather Payment if:

• You've had a baby

• A child under five has come to live with you

You can check if you are due a payment in your area once the scheme reopens by looking up your postcode. If you've not received a Cold Weather Payment and you think you're eligible, contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland anymore - but you might be entitled to an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment instead.