Some UK households may receive additional cash boosts of £25 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the coming weeks.
Forecasters have said things are set to turn increasingly cold throughout the week with lows of -1C predicted for Liverpool on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. An amber alert from the Met Office and UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) is in place, which represents "a situation in which the expected impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with potential for the whole population to be at risk".
The alert is currently in place until midday next Tuesday, December 5.
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If the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days, eligible people will receive a Cold Weather Payment. People can receive the £25 payments across seven-day periods until March 31, 2024.
In order to qualify for Cold Weather Payments, you need to be receiving any of these:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
There are specific circumstances for some of those benefits to qualify for the scheme. You can find out more details of the Cold Weather Payment at GOV.UK.
The temperature readings that decide if it's cold enough in your area are based on recordings made at the nearest local weather station. 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.
You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically. The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from November 1 and March 31.
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