DWP urged to change £25 cold weather payment rules – how does the scheme work and who is eligible?
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has urged the Department of Work and Pensions to change the current rules around the Cold Weather Payment given out to eligible people in the event of extreme weather during the winter months.
Currently, those who receive the payment get £25 if the average temperature in their area falls below a certain level for seven days.
The £25 payment is given for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.
However, Ms Lucas posted a challenge to the way the system works earlier this summer, asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to allow payments to be made every time extreme cold is forecast for the following day.
How does the scheme work and who is eligible?
How does the Cold Weather Payment scheme work?
In answer to Ms Lucas’ question, Conservative MP Laura Trott explained how the system works.
‘A £25 payment is made when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0ºC or below over seven days at the weather station linked to the eligible customer’s postcode.
‘The seven consecutive days is a clear and reasonable measure of a sustained period of cold weather. A payment is made automatically within 14 working days of a trigger to ensure claimants receive payments at the time of need.’
However this only applies to eligible people in England and Wales.
In Scotland the scheme was replaced last year by a £50 annual Winter Heating Payment, due to rise to £55 this winter.
Who is eligible to claim the Cold Weather Payment?
People who are receiving certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest may be eligible to receive the Cold Weather Payment.
They include those claiming the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You can find the specific criteria for eligibility within all of these categories at the Government website.
There is no need to apply for this benefit. If you are eligible it will automatically be paid into your account.
If you think you should be receiving this payment and do not, you should contact the Pension Service or your local Jobcentre Plus – or leave a note on your Universal Credit account online.
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