Just as the weather is getting colder in the UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has restarted its Cold Weather Payment program to offer assistance to households at risk throughout the winter season.
DWP Prepares First Round of £25 Cold Weather Payments Households at Risk
By Chourouk Derkaoui
Published on 1 November 2024 18:30
The first Cold Weather Payments of the year from the Department for Work and Pensions, whose postcodes are eligible to receive them. For some households, the DWP will provide £25 when the temperature drops between now and March.
DWP Cold Weather Program Restart Date and Eligibility
On November 1, 2024, the Cold Weather Payment program will restart. If individuals receive specific benefits, such as support for Mortgage Interest, they can receive a Cold Weather Payment. If the average temperature in their location is zero degrees Celsius or lower for seven days in a row, or is predicted to be so, they will get paid.
Household will get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025. The rules mean they could be eligible to get £50 or even £75.
Additionally, from November 1 to March 31, they will receive £25 for every seven days of extremely cold weather. They should get paid within 14 working days following each spell of extremely cold weather in their location. Their benefit payments are deposited into the same bank or building society account.
The Cold Weather Payments have no impact on their other benefits package. People's bank statements will show "DWP CWP" as the payment, and it will be deposited into the same bank or building society account that they use to receive their benefits. Today marks the start of the program, which will end at the end of March of next year.
Automatic Payments for Qualified Households
Households must apply for one of the various DWP benefits, such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, or Pension Credit, in order to be eligible for the money. There is no need for you to apply. You will receive a Cold Weather Payment automatically if you qualify for one.
Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds said: “With the dire state of the public finances, we have had to make some tough choices, including means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment so that it goes to those most in need.
“And while these choices were not made lightly, this government is doing everything it can to ensure maximum take-up of Pension Credit while also continuing to support pensioners through our commitment to the Triple Lock, which will mean an increase in the full state pension of up to £1,700 over the next five years.”