The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that several additional payments could be available to people across the UK as temperatures begin to fall. Benefit claimants are being advised to keep an eye on their bank statements ahead of a potential payment change this November.
How the Cold Weather Payment works
The Cold Weather Payment scheme, which came into effect on Sunday (November 1) and runs until March 31, aims to provide low-income households with support during the winter. Eligible claimants will receive a payment of £25 for every seven-day period when the local temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below.
The tax-free payment is paid automatically into your bank account within 14 working days after the freezing period ends. It can be triggered one or more times over the six-month period in a particular area.
What claimants should do
As reported by Cambridgeshire Live, Paul Stringer, director and finance expert at loans provider Norton Finance, said: "Check your postcode using the DWP's Cold Weather Payment checker to confirm if your area triggered a payment from the cold spell."
"Check your bank statements for a payment labelled DWP CWP, or if you're on Universal Credit, leave a message in your online journal. Otherwise, contact the Jobcentre Plus or Penson Service directly and ask for it to be reviewed," he continued. "Many missed payments turn out to be down to changes in household circumstances, such as a new baby, a child moving in, basically anything hasn't been logged with the DWP."
The DWP said people on the following benefits may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment if it's triggered in their area:
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Possible changes to the payment
Mr Stringer continued: "Thousands of people are struggling with energy costs but don't fit the current benefit rules, and Cold Weather Payment eligibility could be expanded in several ways."
"For example, it could be extended to include lower-income households who are just above current benefit thresholds, or people with long-term health conditions who face higher heating needs but don't qualify under the existing rules."
Meanwhile, the payment could also be increased as the current value of £25 has been in place since 2010. According to Mr Stringer, it could be reviewed to "reflect current energy costs". He explained: "One option could be to increase the payment in line with inflation or average heating during colder periods. Another option could involve linking the payment value to energy prices, so the level of support is adjusted automatically when fuel costs fluctuate."
November weather forecast
The Met Office has issued its forecast for November, with cold temperatures a possibility. In its long-range forecast from Friday (November 6) until Sunday, November 15, the forecaster predicts breezy weather with temperatures "initially a little below average".
The forecast states: "High pressure is likely to dominate conditions across much of the UK initially, with large amounts of cloud at times but any amounts of rain or drizzle tending to be small. Quite breezy in the south, but a greater chance of some fog patches in northern areas where winds will be lighter."
As the high pressure begins to migrate away to the east, frontal systems may attempt to bring some occasional rain to parts of the southwest and/or northwest at times, though exactly how much progress into the UK this makes is uncertain. In any case, rainfall is likely to be below average in many areas for this period as a whole, with temperatures initially a little below average before returning to near or slightly above average.
Meanwhile, the forecast from Monday, November 16 until Monday, November 30, reads: "During the second half of November, there is an increasing chance of changeable or more unsettled conditions developing, with spells of rain and the potential for strong winds at times."
The extent and location of the wettest and windiest weather is very uncertain at this range, with northern and western areas generally most favoured, but there is a chance the wettest conditions could become more focussed across southern parts for a time. Towards the end of November, whilst confidence is very low in the overall weather patterns, there may be a tendency for the tracks of Atlantic lows to shift farther south. Temperatures are likely to be near or above average for much of the period, although colder interludes remain possible, perhaps more especially later in the period.
