Do you qualify for the Cold Weather Payment?
If you're worried about winter fuel bills and receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible to receive a payment from the Government due to the continuing cold weather.
The Cold Weather Payment means that this year you can get £25 when the average temperature where you live 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.
These payments are non-refundable and different from the Winter Fuel Payment, which is available to people over 60. You must not be living in a care home or subject to immigration control.
Who is eligible?
You can qualify for a Cold Weather Payment if you get Pension Credit (Savings Credit or Guarantee Credit) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in its main phase.
You can also qualify if you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:
- a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium,
- a pensioner premium or higher pension premium,
- a disabled child premium,
- Child Tax Credit which includes a disabled child element or severely disabled child element, or a child under the age of five.
How do I apply?
You don't need to apply. You'll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically as long as you qualify.
Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.
Contact The Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.
Visit Directgov for the full details and more useful information.
What about the Winter Fuel Payment?
If you are aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This can be between £125 and £400 depending on your situation.
Downing Street webchat on Government support in cold weather with Work and Pensions Minister, Helen Goodman - 10am, 8 January, 2010
Helen Goodman, Minister for Work and Pensions, took questions on Government support during the extreme weather conditions. A number of carers attended the webchat and had their questions answered by the Minister.
Read the full transcript:
Transcript of Downing Street Webchat with Work And Pensions Minister (46 KB)
Published 5 January 2010