Benefits to help you cope with the effects of cold weather

The following benefits are available to help people cope with the effects of cold weather.

Cold weather payments

Cold weather payments of £25 per week are automatically paid to people on certain benefits when the temperature in the area they live has dropped or is forecast to drop to zero or below for 7 consecutive days.

To qualify a person must be in receipt of one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Income-based      Employment and Support Allowance AND either:
  
  • this includes certain additions for disability or
  • they are responsible for a child under 5 or
  • they get Child Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element

Although the Cold weather payments are paid automatically, a person has to already be in receipt of certain benefits and not everyone claims the benefits to which they are entitled. 

There is no upper capital limit to claiming Pension Credit and changes in your circumstances may make you eligible for the first time eg. if you have recently moved into sheltered accommodation you may become eligible for the first time because of the service charge that is paid.

Please contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.

More information about the Cold weather payment is available on the Direct.gov website.

Winter Fuel Payments

To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment you must have been born on or before 5 July 1950 (the qualifying age is rising in line with the increase in the women's State Pension age). The basic rate is £250, rising to £400 for those aged 80 or over on or before 26 September 2010.

Payments are automatic if you received the payment the previous year or if you are receiving State Retirement Pension or any other benefit (apart from Child Benefit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit).

If you are not one of the above, a claim must be made by 30 March 2011.

For more information you can call the Winter fuel helpline on 08459 151515 or contact them via textphone on 08456 015613. Alternatively more information about the Winter Fuel Payment is available on the Direct.gov website.