You can get several payments through the scheme
DWP claimants have been alerted to an approaching deadline concerning a payment scheme. Eligibility for the payment schemes includes those claiming various benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme is still running, providing £25 payments when temperatures in your area are, or are predicted to be, below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days. You can get multiple £25 payments through the programme if the payments are triggered repeatedly in your locality.
People receiving these six benefits may be eligible for the payment directly into their accounts:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest.
The programme ends soon, operating between November 1 and March 31. Matthew Sheeran, external relations manager at financial support organisation Money Wellness, discussed whether payments might be activated during the remainder of March.
He explained: “We might see a bit of a cold snap this week with frost and some wintry showers, especially up north and in rural areas, but the forecasters aren’t pointing to temperatures staying below freezing for seven days straight – and that’s what you need to actually trigger a Cold Weather Payment before the end of March.
“So while it’ll feel cold, it’s not likely we’ll see a big wave of new £25 payments being triggered right now.” You can check if a Cold Weather Payment has been activated in your area via the Government website.
When do Cold Weather Payments go out?
As for when payments land in accounts, Government guidance clarifies: “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.”
However, the regulations differ if you reside in Scotland. Here, the scheme has been superseded by the Winter Heating Payment, with largely identical qualifying criteria regarding which benefits you need to claim.
This is a one-time payment that is issued regardless of the weather, and is valued at £59.75. These payments are distributed between December and the end of February.
If you were entitled to receive a payment, Social Security Scotland would have sent you a letter or email informing you of the impending amount.
