Four million households can claim £25 a week energy bill help – is your postcode on the list?

AROUND 4million households are eligible for a £25 cold weather payment when temperatures drop below zero. The benefit is to help struggling Brits pay for energy bills during spells of freezing weather. The latest government figures show that 3.9million Brits are eligible to receive the £25 grant as energy bills rocket. However, they’ll only get […]

AROUND 4million households are eligible for a £25 cold weather payment when temperatures drop below zero.

The benefit is to help struggling Brits pay for energy bills during spells of freezing weather.

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The latest government figures show that 3.9million Brits are eligible to receive the £25 grant as energy bills rocket.

However, they’ll only get it when the temperature falls below zero for seven days in a row.

There have been six triggers in Britain since November last year.

All of the payments have been in Scotland so far, with 394,000 eligible recipients.

The data shows that five of those were in December 2021, with another payment made in January.

You can check whether you’re owed a payment by searching for your postcode on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

We’ve also published a list of all the postcodes that are eligible for a payment.

Alex Hasty, director at comparethemarket.com, said: “We encourage those eligible to claim their Cold Weather Payment from the Department of Work and Pensions this winter.

“Should cold weather continue to impact a number of households across the country, the £25 could be useful to help offset rising fuel costs during periods of harsh weather.

“As the energy market crises continues, we welcome initiatives that will help people navigate this difficult period.”

Who is eligible for the cold weather payment scheme?

You must be receiving certain benefits in order to get the cold weather payment.

You will usually get the £25 pay out if you claim:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
• Have a child who is disabled
• Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
• Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
• Have a child under five living with you

You can find the full eligibility criteria on the government’s website.

How much will I get?

You will get £25 for each week-long period with sub-zero weather recorded in your area between November 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

After the spell of cold weather you should get a payment within 14 working days.

It will be paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.

How can I apply?

You don’t need to apply for the cold weather payment as eligible households will automatically receive the pay out.

If you think you’re missing out on a cold weather payment, first you should double check if your area is on the postcode list.

Then you should tell the pension service or Jobcentre.

Universal Credit claimants should sign in to their accounts and add a note to their journals.

Alternatively, you can ring the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.