Nearly 700,000 households eligible for DWP cold weather payments

Independent.co reports that nearly 700,000 households across more than 451 postcode areas can now expect a cold weather payment from the Department for Work and Pensions after sub-zero temperatures affected parts of the UK. The Met Office recorded the coldest night of winter overnight, with temperatures falling as low as -12C and several areas in the Scottish Highlands, Norfolk and Suffolk dropping below -10C.

The DWP scheme provides a one-off payment of £25 for every seven-day period in which an area records temperatures at or below zero; since 1 November there have been five trigger days (30 Dec, 1 Jan, 2 Jan, 3 Jan and 6 Jan). Pensions minister Torsten Bell said: “As temperatures plunge, cold weather payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households.

Combined with the biggest ever pension credit take-up campaign and our triple lock commitment – set to increase the state pension by up to £2,100 over this parliament – we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this winter.” The scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March and can pay more than once to the same household; several people in the Lake District received three payments last year, totalling £75.

Key Topics

Politics, Cold Weather Payment, Torsten Bell, Met Office, Universal Credit, Scottish Government