If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment will help you with extra heating costs during very cold weather in your area.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.
You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:
- a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
- a disability premium or severe disability premium
- a disabled child premium
- Child Tax Credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled
- a child who is under five in the family
How much do you get?
This year you will get £25 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.
Effect on other benefits
Cold Weather Payments will not affect other benefits you may be getting.
How to apply
You don't need to apply; you'll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically as long as you qualify.
Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.
Who to contact at The Pension Service
The Pension Service provides a wide range of information about the State Pension, Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment and related benefits. Here are some ways of finding the right person to phone or email.
Your pension centre
In England, Scotland and Wales, your pension centre can answer frequently asked questions about:
- making State Pension claims
- making Pension Credit claims
- existing State Pension or Pension Credit claims
If you live in Northern Ireland, queries can be addressed to the Department for Social Development.
