Cold weather payments have been triggered in 18 areas across the UK following a severe drop in temperatures, as snow and ice warnings have been extended for the upcoming weekend. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides £25 in additional support to eligible households when temperatures fall, or are forecasted to fall, to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days, a condition that has recently been met.
The regions in the north of England, including Cumbria, Northumberland, and areas near the Scottish border, have been identified for the cold weather payments which recipients can anticipate in their bank accounts within two weeks. The chilly spell has seen temperatures plummeting to nearly minus 8°C in parts of Scotland and northern England, prompting the activation of the payments.
An imminent yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued, covering all of England except the south-west, as well as all of Wales. The DWP clarified that the Cold Weather Payments are automatically triggered when the average temperature is recorded as, or predicted to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days at the relevant weather station.
Under the scheme, eligible households in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland receiving certain benefits including Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, Universal Credit, and Support for Mortgage Interest will receive the £25 payment for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
As the upcoming weekend approaches, the Met Office forecasts persisting cold weather and snow accumulation from Friday evening through Sunday, before turning to rain in central and southern England. Significant snowfall is expected in northern England on Sunday, prompting Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly to issue warnings of various weather hazards including snow accumulations, freezing rain, ice, heavy rain, and strong winds.
For the period of January 2 to 9, the full list of postcode areas receiving the DWP Cold Weather Payments includes Eskdalemuir with postcodes DG14 and TD9, Resdale with postcodes CA9, NE19, NE47, NE48, and NE49, and Shap with postcodes CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, and LA23.
With the cold weather payments being activated in several regions amidst ongoing snow and ice warnings, eligible households are set to receive additional support to cope with the harsh winter conditions. The payments aim to provide financial assistance to those most vulnerable to the effects of severe weather, ensuring they can stay warm and safe during the winter months.