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Cold Weather Payment

If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of 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, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
  • a disabled child premium
  • Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
  • a child who is under five in the family
  • Premiums for people with disabilities
  • Jobseeker's allowance
  • Income support

How much do you get?

This year you will get £8.50 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 the state pension service or your local jobs and benefits/social security office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.

More useful links

See also...