Exact date DWP Cold Weather Payments will start this year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be starting its Cold Weather Payments scheme soon. People receiving certain benefits or support for mortgage interest could be eligible.
The £25 payments - which are automatic - are given to some people living in England and Wales when temperatures dip below 0C for seven consecutive days. The scheme is not yet up and running but will be soon.
It is set to be reintroduced in a few weeks on November 1. The scheme is expected to run until March 31 next year.
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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." 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
The Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits. You cannot get the cash if you live in Scotland - but you may be eligible for an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
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.
For those claiming Universal Credit, you can get the payment if you or your 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.
You can check if you're due the payment using the Government's postcode checker.