What is Cold Weather Payment? How much is it? Who qualifies for this benefit? If you are experiencing periods of cold weather where your home is located, you could get payments. More specifically, you could get money weekly. Your Benefits will tell you all you need to know about Cold Weather Payment.
How much is the Cold Weather Payment?
You may receive a set amount for each period of very cold weather in your area. More specifically, you are eligible to receive £25 for every 7 consecutive days where the temperature is either 0 degrees Celsius or below.
From 1 November 2021 until 31 March is the period during which you can receive money from the Cold Weather Payment scheme. The 7 consecutive days of cold weather have to be within this period.
For example, you may be experiencing a period of cold weather. Let’s say that the temperature in your area is around -2 degrees Celsius for a period of three weeks. On the first week, you will receive £25. Same thing for the second and third week. In total, you will receive £75 in three weeks through this benefit.
When do you get Cold Weather Payment?
Cold Weather Payment is paid directly into one’s bank account or building society account. This is the same as most other benefits. Usually, the payment will arrive no later than 14 working days. However, keep in mind that this after the period of very cold weather has happened.
The amount that you receive from Cold Weather Payment will not affect any other benefits that you currently receive. This means that, if you are paid other amounts by other financial aid, your eligibility will not be void because of receiving this benefit.
Who qualifies for Cold Weather Payment?
In order to receive Cold Weather Payment, you need to live in an area that experiences very cold weather for at least 7 consecutive days. The temperature needs to be 0 degree Celsius or below during that week. However, on top of this, you must receive a qualifying benefit.
What benefits qualify me for Cold Weather Payment? You may be able to earn the benefit if you receive one of the following, however, additional conditions may apply:
- Pension Credit;
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Income Support;
- Support for Mortgage Interest;
- Universal Credit.
What are the conditions if I get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)?
If you receive either income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Income Support, you should be eligible to receive Cold Weather Payment. However, one of the following must also apply to your situation:
- You receive either a pensioner premium or disability premium;
- A child that is living in your household is disabled or under 5 years old;
- You have a disability element or severe disability element with your Child Tax Credit.
What are the conditions if I get income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)?
If you receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you will usually qualify for Cold Weather Payment. However, you also need to belong to a support or work-related activity group. If this is not the case, you may still receive the benefit. However, one of the following must apply to your situation:
- You receive either an enhanced or severe disability premium;
- You receive a pensioner premium;
- A child that is living in your household is disabled or under 5 years old;
- You have a disability element or severe disability element with your Child Tax Credit.
What are the conditions if I receive Universal Credit?
If you receive Universal Credit, you should typically qualify for Cold Weather Payment. However, you need to not be employed or self-employed. On top of this, you need to have certain conditions that apply to your situation. Specifically, one of 2 circumstances need to apply to your situation, you:
- Are affected by a disability or health condition, which affects your ability to work (his is either or not you have work-related activity);
- A child under 5 years old lives in your household.
What are the conditions if I receive Universal Credit?
If you receive Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI), you will typically be eligible for Cold Weather Payment. However, one of the following need to apply to your situation, you:
- Receive either an enhanced or severe disability premium;
- Get paid a pensioner premium;
- Live with a child that is disabled or under 5 years old;
- You have a disability element or severe disability element with your Child Tax Credit.
What is the Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is a benefit for people living in areas that are very cold. More specifically, in areas where the average temperature are at or below 0 degree Celsius. If the temperature in your area is currently, or predicted to be this for a period of more than 7 days, you may qualify.
How to apply for Cold Weather Payment
You do not need to claim Cold Weather Payment. You will receive them if you are eligible for the benefit. This is done automatically. As such, you will not need to go through a claiming process.
This is unless you have a child under 5 years old living in your household and do not contact Jobcentre Plus. More specifically, you will need to notify Jobcentre Plus if you have recently had a baby or a child under 5 years old is now living with you, and you receive one of the following 3 benefits:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Income Support.
If you contact Jobcentre Plus, you will likely still receive Warm Home Payments automatically.
What if I did not get Cold Weather Payments?
You may believe you are eligible for Cold Weather Payment, but have not paid yet. Usually, you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. Explain your situation to them, and they should be able to help you.
If you receive Universal Credit, you may do all this online. To do so, log in to your account. There, write a note in your journal.
However, you may not have an account online. In this case, you will need to call the Universal Credit helpline. If you are unsure of the phone number to call, you can find it on letters related to your claim for Universal Credit.
What if my situation changes?
If you are currently in a hospital, your Cold Weather Payment may be impacted. You must inform Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. Tell them about your situation, and they will figure out your eligibility for Cold Weather Payment.
If you receive Universal Credit, you may do all this online. To do so, log in to your account. There, write a note in your journal.
However, you may not have an account online. In this case, you will need to call the Universal Credit helpline. If you are unsure of the phone number to call, you can find it on letters related to your claim for Universal Credit.
Who can get Winter Fuel Payment?
Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment are two benefits that are often confused as being the same. They are financial aids that can help you pay for costs that arise during the winter. They are also both awarded automatically. The following table indicates how much you may be entitled to under this benefit.
| Winter Fuel Payment amounts in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Your date of birth is on or before 26 September 1941 | Your date of birth is between 27 September 1941 and 26 September 1955 | |
| You are eligible, live by yourself or do not live with an eligible person | £300 | £200 |
| You are eligible and live with an eligible person under 80 | £200 | £100 |
| You are eligible and live with an eligible person 80 or older | £150 | £100 |
| You live in a care home, are eligible and do not receive specific benefits (listed below) | £150 | £100 |
| You are eligible, receive one of the specific benefits (listed below) and live alone or with an eligible person | £300 | £100 |
| You are eligible and living with someone that receives one of the benefits (listed below) | £300 (only one person will receive payments) | £200 (only one person will receive payments) |
| You are eligible, living in a care home, and getting one of the benefits (listed below) | £0 | £0 |
There are certain benefits that change your eligibility for that Winter Fuel Payment. All of them are financial aids that you need in order to qualify for Cold Weather Payment. They are:
- Income Support;
- Pension Credit;
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
What if I am elderly?
As such, if you qualify for Cold Weather Payment and are elderly, you are likely to qualify for this benefit as well. However, whether or not you qualify for Winter Fuel Payment also depends on your situation on ‘qualifying week‘. This is the period from 20 to 26 September 2021.
