Pensioners could be in line for a new year boost from the Department for Work and Pensions. The Labour government was widely criticised for withdrawing the winter fuel payment of between £2-300 for around 10 million OAPs.
It has led to fears that people who are just about the threshold of qualifying for Pensions Credit being unable to turn their heating on. To get pensions credit people need to be getting £11,400 or less – meaning people just missing out are among the poorest in the country.
Cold weather payments are one way people can get a minor amount of help. The Cold Weather Payment scheme applies to people in England and Wales who receive a range of benefits and is triggered when the temperature hit low level for seven consecutive days
To assist individuals in affording warmth during the cold spell, a £25 payment is issued to some if the temperature remains low enough for a sufficient period. Those on certain benefits are now eligible for this payment to help them stay warm.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme is applicable to those in England and Wales receiving a variety of benefits. In 2022, the DWP made more than 5.5 million Cold Weather Payments. According to the DWP, those claiming Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, or Support for Mortgage Interest may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment.
The DWP says: “You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.” To check your postcode click here.
This Government is also providing further protection against energy costs this winter for low-income households through DWP’s Cold Weather Payments, paid from 01 November until the end of March 2025.
These are an automatic bank top-up of £25, paid to eligible households when the average temperature in the area has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days.
In addition, the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme has been extended, alongside an additional £1 billion for the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments in 2025 -26, demonstrating this Government’s commitment to addressing immediate hardship and crisis for vulnerable families across the country.
Warm home discount scheme money is paid directly by the DWP to energy suppliers between October and March. The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2023/24 is now open with most energy providers and gives people on certain benefits £150 off their electricity bill.
The scheme eligibility rules changed last year and means some people may no longer qualify and others might need to apply as they will not receive the discount directly. Eligible households may also be able to get the discount off their gas bill instead – if their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity, just contact them once the scheme opens to find out.
If you’re a credit customer the £150 will be added to your electricity account and if you’re on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you’ll be sent a voucher that you can use to top-up your meter. Anyone who does not receive a letter but believes they are eligible, should call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322 before 29 February 2024. If you live in England or Wales, you receive the warm home discount automatically.
The Government says: “You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with you.
“The payments do not affect your other benefits. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.”
A spokeswoman for the UK Government previously said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their full new state pension rise by £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most. Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with their energy bills over winter.”