Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is an extra weekly payment of £8.50 which is payable to those who qualify if the weather was, or is forecast to be, zero degrees or below for a seven day period between the 1st November and the 31st March each year. Cold Weather Payment will not have an effect on any other benefits that you are entitled to receive. You may qualify for Cold Weather Payment if:

• You receive Pension Credit
• You receive Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance that is based on your income, and you have a child or children under five years old
• You receive a pensioner benefit
• You receive a disability benefit
• Your child receives a disabled child benefit
• You receive Child Tax Credit including an extra benefit for a disabled child

If you qualify for Cold Weather Payment the benefit should be sent to you automatically, you will not need to claim it. However, you can contact the Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265 if you did not receive Cold Weather Payment but believe you should have done.