Cold Weather Payment

Cold weather payments are paid to the people of certain state by the UK government in the event of extreme cold weather between November and March. Cold Weather Payment is a benefit provided to people to help them with fuel costs during the period of very cold weather. The payment governs under the social security contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

One can get the payment if the average temperature in the area is recorded as zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

The average amount caters to £25 for each 7day period of very cold weather. One qualifies for money for each week in case of cold weather in their area which generally lies between 1 November and 31 March. The period must cater to seven consecutive days when the average temperature must be zero degree Celsius or below.

What is Cold Weather Payment Scheme?

The details of the Cold Weather Payment Scheme is as following:

• One is eligible for the payment if the average temperature in the area is recorded as zero degrees Celsius or below for over 7 consecutive days.
• The scheme runs from November to March in a year.
• One will receive the payment of £25 for each 7day period of very cold weather.
• One may get a Cold Weather Payment if they’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

What will you get?

If you are eligible to get the payment under cold weather scheme then it is paid automatically. Person will get £25 after each 7day period of cold weather which falls between1st November and 31st March.

You can get the qualified amount within 14 working days after each period. It’s normally paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefits payments. The Cold Weather Payments do not affect the other benefits attached.

Eligibility Criteria

People can get Cold Weather Payments if they’re getting:

• The Universal Credit
• The Pension Credit
• Income which is related to Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Income which is based on Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Any support for Mortgage Interest

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is defined as an extra money to help you with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. This Credit also helps with the costs related to housing such as ground rent or service charge. One can get the Cold Weather Payments if they are getting Pension Credit.

Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

One can get the Cold Weather Payments if they get the income based on Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support and have any of the following:

• a child who is disabled
• Child Tax credit that includes disability element
• a disability or pensioner premium
• a child who is under 5 and is living with you

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

This Allowance is for people who have limited capability for work because of their disability or sickness or but do not get Statutory Sick Pay. People get the Cold Weather Payments if they get income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group.

What is Universal Credit?

This is a payment to help a person with their living costs. The payment is paid monthly if your income is low or you cannot work

A person is eligible for Cold Weather Payments if they get Universal Credit and they’re not employed or self-employed. The following criteria must also apply:

• you have a child who is under 5 and living with you
• you have a disability and have limited capability for work

What is Support for Mortgage Interest?

SMI is a loan from the Department of Work and Pensions which helps to pay the interest on your mortgage. You might can avail SMI if you own your home or you are in a shared ownership scheme. People get the Cold Weather Payments if they get support for Mortgage Interest.

Who can claim cold weather payments?

You can claim the Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit, and you are not employed.

One of the following criteria must also apply:

• you have a child who is under 5 and living with you.
• you have a disability and have limited capability for work

Support

To get help with Cold Weather payment or any other accounting, taxation, and financial advice or support, please write to us
at enquiry@dnsaccountants.co.uk, call us on 3300 88 66 86, or
visit www.dnsaccountants.co.uk

Also See: Winter Fuel allowance payment and benefits

Also See: Limited Company Formation

About the author

Sumit Agarwal
Sumit Agarwal (ACMA ACA India), the Managing partner of dns accountants is a highly respected accountant with expertise in helping owner-managed businesses.