Heat boost for benefits recipient

MASSIVELY rising heating bills are a worry for millions. In a bid to help, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) set up a Cold Weather Payment, which gives people extra money when it drops below zero.

The scheme runs from November 1 to March 31 each year. A payment of £25 is sent to eligible people for every seven-days of below zero temperatures. You may get the money if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest.

That includes: Pension credit, Income support, Income-based jobseeker’s allowance; Income-related

ESA; Universal Credit; Support for mortgage interest. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.

If you’re eligible, you should receive it automatically. If a change in your circumstances means you believe you should now be eligible, for example if you have a baby, or a child under the age of five comes to live with you, you should contact Jobcentre Plus.

Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office if you think you should have received a cold weather payment but have not.