Cold Weather Payments
- Who can get Cold Weather Payments?
- When are Cold Weather Payments made?
- How are Cold Weather Payments made?
- Effect on other benefits
- How to claim
- Disputes and appeals
A Cold Weather Payment is intended to help towards extra heating costs during very cold weather. A payment of £8.50 is paid automatically for each week of very cold weather. You do not have to pay it back. It is a regulated payment and not subject to a budget. As long as you fulfil the conditions below, you will be paid. [Legislation (5)].
Who can get Cold Weather Payments?
You are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you are getting Pension Credit, or if you are getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance which includes either a premium for being 60 or over, or one for being disabled or long-term sick. If you are getting income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance you may also qualify if you have a child under 5 or a child who is disabled. (See the leaflet list for more information.)
Do any savings you have affect the payment?
No. Savings do not affect Cold Weather Payments.
When are Cold Weather Payments made?
Cold Weather Payments are made when the average temperature for your area is recorded as 0° Celsius (freezing point) or below over seven consecutive days. They are also made when the Meteorological Office forecasts such a spell of cold weather.
How are Cold Weather Payments made?
Payment will be made in the same way as your benefit/entitlement and will be sent out automatically to those who qualify. The amount is a set figure.
Effect on other benefits
Cold Weather Payments have no effect on other benefits.
How to claim
You do not need to make a claim. We will automatically send payments to those who qualify.
Disputes and appeals
If you want to know more about the decision or you think it is wrong
Please get in touch with Jobcentre Plus within one month of the date of the decision letter. If you contact us later we may not be able to help you.
You, or someone else who has the authority to act on your behalf, can
- ask for an explanation
- ask for a written statement of reasons for our decision
- ask us to look again at the decision to see if it can be changed. There may be some facts you think we have overlooked or you may have more information which affects the decision
- appeal against the decision to an independent tribunal (but this must be in writing)
You can do any of the actions listed above, or you can do all of them.
You can find more information about decision making and appeals in leaflet GL24 If you think our decision is wrong – available from any Jobcentre Plus office or the Catalogue of DWP products on the DWP website.