The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated Cold Weather Payments today in nearly 250 postcodes across England and Wales. This action follows the Met Office’s warnings of upcoming winter weather. Approximately 500,000 households will qualify for these payments, receiving £25 each to assist with heating expenses.
The Cold Weather Payments have been activated in a total of 246 postcodes today, including regions like Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland. The list of postcodes eligible for the payments can be found through an interactive map provided.
These payments are directed to individuals in England and Wales who receive various benefits. A similar scheme is in place in Northern Ireland, while in Scotland, support for heating bills is provided annually without being tied to specific cold spells.
This winter, £25 payments have been issued for 697 postcodes, with 18 areas receiving multiple payments due to prolonged cold weather. The current wave of payments is estimated to benefit around 532,000 households, with Greater Manchester accounting for approximately 336,000 recipients. The total cost of Cold Weather Payments for today is projected to be £13.3 million.
In England and Wales, payments are triggered when average temperatures are forecasted to drop below zero for seven consecutive days. Forecasters anticipate a cold spell leading into the New Year, with subzero temperatures expected in many regions.
Approximately 3.9 million individuals are eligible for Cold Weather Payments under the DWP scheme, including 1.2 million receiving Pensions Credit. Those receiving benefits like Pension Credit, Income Support, and Universal Credit may qualify for the Cold Weather Payments, which are automatically deposited into recipients’ bank accounts within 14 working days.
The triggering of Cold Weather Payments is determined by various weather stations across the UK, benefiting households in different regions.
