Did you know that almost 4 million people are entitled to claim an extra £25 a week to help with the cost of heating if the temperature, in their area, drops past a certain level?
Some 3.8 million people in the UK are eligible for it because they receive Universal Credit , Pension Credits and other support schemes . It pays out £25 a week to cover extra energy bills.
The scheme kicks in when temperatures fall to zero degrees or less for seven or more consecutive days. Last winter it was triggered more than 30 times seeing more than £118 million paid out support across the UK.
"We are absolutely committed that the most vulnerable people get the support when they need it most and because of this more than £118 million was paid out last winter in Cold Weather payments" Minister for family support, Justin Tomlinson said earlier this year.
"It is important that people keep their homes warm during any cold snap, and cold weather and winter fuel payments enables them to do so. We also urge relatives of pensioners to check in on them regularly and make sure they are receiving the support they are entitled to."
If you do qualify, you'll get a £25 a week payment for every seven-day spell of cold weather you experience - with the money paid automatically within a fortnight.
You'll be eligible to claim Cold Weather Payment if you are getting one of the following...
Pension Credit Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Universal Credit Support for Mortgage Intererest
If you've experienced freezing weather in your area, check if you're owed money by entering your postcode on the DWP page. This will tell you if your area has reached the payout threshold temperature.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for 7 consecutive days.
You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
If you think you should have received a payment but didn't, speak to your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.
The Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344 can also be used - or you can find out more about the eligibility criteria, here.