Cold Weather Payments

For those on low incomes, a cold weather payment is to help with extra heating costs during very cold weather in the particular area where you live.

Eligibility Criteria 

You are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you are in receipt of:

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit 
• Income Support 
• Income Based Job Seekers 
• Income Based Employment and Support Allowance

You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit, you’re either not employed or you're self-employed, and one of the following apply:

• you get a limited capability for work amount (with or without a work-related activity amount)
• you get the disabled child amount in your claim
• you have a child under five living with you

You’ll also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim, whether you are employed or not.

How Much is a Cold Weather Payment?

The payment is £25 when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.

It must be noted that this has to happen in the area where the claimant lives and the process is triggered automatically, there is no need to apply.