Lifestyle

THOUSANDS of families could get a cash boost following sub-zero temperatures.

Low-income households could get an extra £25 towards energy bills through cold weather payments.

The payments are triggered during freezing weather.

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But households on certain benefits will want to keep an eye on their thermostats.

If temperatures are consistently below a certain temperature they could become eligible for a cold weather payment.

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Here's everything you need to know.

What is the cold weather payment?

Families are entitled to an extra £25 to help heat their home when the temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days on average.

As the weather needs to be freezing for seven consecutive days, you won’t be entitled to the extra money if it was zero degrees or below on just one day.

So just because it was below zero where you live over the weekend, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get the payment.

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It's worth keeping an eye on your local weather to make sure you don't miss out if it is cold enough for the required period.

You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government's tool.

Here's the full list of postcodes that have qualified for a £25 payment over the 2022-23 winter period so far.

If you are eligible you should receive any payments within 14 working days into the same bank account you receive your benefits.

The cold weather payment scheme runs until March 31 and will restart on November 1.

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.

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.

You can find out more about eligibility on the government's website.

If you’re getting Universal Credit, you can also sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.

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The cold weather payment is paid automatically, so you don't need to apply for it.

If you go into hospital, this could affect your claim so make sure you tell someone using the contact details above.

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