Thousands of UK households could be in line to receive a free weekly payout from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from next week.
The money is to support those who are struggling to heat their homes this winter, with the cash being paid when temperatures drop below a certain threshold.
You will be eligible for a free £25 handout if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days this winter.
Read more: One-day warning to thousands to claim free £450 DWP payout
The payment will cover each seven day period of very cold weather starting from Wednesday, November 1 until March 31 next year.
The DWP said it will issue the cash after each period of cold weather in your area, with households due to receive it within 14 working days.
To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments, you must be receiving one of the following benefits:
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Pension Credit
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Income Support
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income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
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income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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Universal Credit
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Support for Mortgage Interest
You may also be in line to receive the payment if you meet any of the following additional criteria:
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you have a disability or pensioner premium
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you have a child who is disabled
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you receive Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
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you have a child under the age of five living with you
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you have a severe or enhanced disability premium
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you (or your partner if you have one) have a health condition or disability and have limited capacity for work
You will usually also get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit and you are not employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’, or if your partner (if you have one) is not employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’.
Universal Credit claimants will also be eligible if they have a disabled child amount in their claim. In this case, it doesn’t matter whether you or your partner are employed, self-employed or not working.
You don’t need to apply to receive Cold Weather Payments, as the DWP will pay this automatically if you are eligible. The cash will be paid directly into the same bank or building society account that your benefits payments are normally paid.
If you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but it hasn’t arrived, you should contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus .
You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by typing your postcode into the government’s tool on its website.
If you get Universal Credit you can sign in to your account and add a note to your journal, or ring the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 if you don’t have an online account.
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