January 4th 2025.
As the UK experiences freezing temperatures, many people in Balerno, Edinburgh are braving the snow-covered streets. But for those living in certain postcodes, there may be some relief in the form of a special payment for cold weather. If the temperature drops to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days, residents in these areas could receive £25 to help with their heating costs. This is different from the Winter Fuel Payment, which made headlines earlier this year when the government announced plans to means test it.
Low income households in England and Wales may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments between November and March if the weather is particularly wintry. With the whole of England currently under a rare amber alert for cold weather and snow falling in various parts of the country, it is possible that these payments could be triggered. To check if your area is included and if you are entitled to the money, you can visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.
The Cold Weather Payments are made between November 1 and March 31 to individuals who receive certain benefits in England and Wales. While they have not yet been issued this winter, the first payments could potentially be made this month if the cold weather persists for seven days or longer. The scheme uses postcode districts and Met Office weather stations to determine eligibility, with each postcode district assigned to the weather station with the most similar climate.
So who exactly is eligible for the Cold Weather Payment? This scheme aims to provide assistance to individuals on benefits who are most vulnerable to the cold, including those receiving Income Support, Pension Credit, Support for Mortgage Interest, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. The payments are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland and issued separately.
Some of the postcodes that have already been triggered and are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment include CA9 Leadgate, Cumbria; LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria; NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland; TD9 Scottish Borders; and DG14 Dumfries border. To check the latest postcodes that have been triggered, you can use the Gov.uk postcode checker.
If you are eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, you will receive £25 for each seven-day period during the winter months between November 1 and March 31. The money will be automatically deposited into your bank account, and there is no need to apply or take any action to receive it. In the previous winter season of 2022 to 2023, an estimated £137.6 million was paid out through this scheme to around 3.7 million people.
As the UK prepares for a wet and windy weekend, Storm Bert is expected to bring snow, heavy rain, and strong winds to certain areas. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for most of the country on Friday, with a mix of snow, ice, wind, and rain warnings for large parts of the country on Saturday. On Sunday, rain and snow warnings have been issued for most of Scotland and northern England, while a rain warning is in place for southwest England.
It is important to take precautions during this cold weather, not just for ourselves but also for our belongings. Phones can be especially vulnerable to the freezing temperatures, so it is essential to protect them. And as for our furry friends, while it may seem cute to put boots on dogs in the snow, a vet has warned that it can actually be harmful for them. So let's all stay warm and safe during this cold snap.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
