TEN thousand Brits will be entitled to payments worth £25 over the next seven-day period as temperatures plummet.
Depending on where you live, you can get the money paid directly into your bank account within 14 days.
The free cash, known as the cold weather payment, comes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It is designed to help people on low incomes with their energy bills when temperatures start to drop.
This is because people use more energy when it's colder to keep warm.
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You don't have to apply for payments, as they are made automatically if you qualify.
The payments are worth £25 per seven-day period, and the cash is paid within 14 working days.
This is provided temperatures in your area remain at zero degrees or below over a seven-day period.
You might be due multiple payouts if the cold weather continues beyond seven days too.
Households across Cumbria, Scotland and Northumberland will be entitled to cold weather payments next week as cold winds have been predicted.
Around 10,000 people will be eligible for the payments for the period 12 January - 18 January 2024 in the following postcodes:
- Cliburn, Cumbria CA10
- Catterlen, Cumbria CA11
- Keswick, Cumbria CA12
- Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16
- Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17
- Kendal, Cumbria LA8
- Kendal, Cumbria LA9
- Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10
- Coniston, Cumbria LA21
- Lakes, Cumbria LA22
- Windermere, Cumbria LA23
- Alston, Cumbria CA9
- Burnhope, County Durham DH8
- Elsdon, Northumberland NE19
- Allendale, Northumberland NE47
- Bellingham, Northumberland NE48
- Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49
- Dumfries border (parts in England) DG14
- Scottish Borders (parts in England) TD9
Who is eligible for cold weather payments?
Households are eligible for the extra cash if they are getting the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Support for mortgage interest
Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to meet one or more of the following additional criteria:
- Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
- Have a child who is disabled
- Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
- Have a child under five living with you
You can find out more about eligibility on the government's website.
Getting the cold weather payment doesn't affect any other benefits you get.
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If you're eligible, you should get the payments automatically within 14 days, into the same account where you get your benefit payments.
But if you think you should get the payment and haven't, then contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office, or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
If you’re getting Universal Credit, you can also sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.
