Cold weather payments

What is it?

Cold weather payments help people who receive certain benefits with their additional heating costs during winter.

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

What you'll get?

You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

Very cold weather requires the average temperature in your area to be recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below, for seven consecutive days.

How do I apply?

You don’t need to apply. If you qualify, the payment should be made automatically, within 14 days of each period of very cold weather in your area.

It will be paid into the same bank or building society account that your benefit payments are paid into.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:

• Pension Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

If you get any other income based benefits then you may be eligible to get cold weather payments if certain other circumstances apply. This varies depending on which benefit you are getting.

Universal Credit (UC)

If you get UC you are eligible for cold weather payments if you are out of work and have:

• a child under 5 living with you OR
• a health condition or disability and have been assessed as having limited capability for work or work-related activity

You’ll also be eligible if you get Universal Credit and you have a disabled child amount in your claim, whether you’re employed or not.

Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

If you get Income Support or income-based JSA you are only eligible for cold weather payments if one of following also applies:

• your benefit award includes a disability or pensioner premium
• you have a child who is disabled
• you also receive Child Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element
• a child under 5 lives with you

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you get income related ESA you are eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you have been assessed and placed in the work-related activity group or the support group.

If you’re not in either group you will only get Cold Weather Payments if any of the following also apply:

• your benefit award includes a severe or enhanced disability premium
• your benefit award includes a pensioner premium
• you have a child who is disabled
• you get child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• a child under 5 lives with you

Unable to heat or power your home?

If you are in a financial crisis and cannot afford your heating or electricity you may be able to get a crisis grant as a one off to assist you in the crisis. You can apply for this by contacting the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Can I challenge the decision?

You can challenge a decision about Cold Weather Payments if you are unhappy with it.

Find out how to challenge a decision.

How to contact us?

You can get in touch with us by emailing us at fit@northlan.gov.uk or by calling us on 01698 332551.