HOUSEHOLDS can get £25 towards the cost of their energy bills during long periods of freezing weather.
Freezing temperatures are set to hit the UK in days, with amber cold-health alerts issued and lows of -4C expected in some parts of the country.
The Cold Weather Payment, which is issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), provides support to low-income households during winter cold snaps.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive £25 for each seven-day stretch of low temperatures between between November 1 and March 31.
A postcode will be triggered if temperatures drop to 0C or less for seven days in a row.
The cash payment will then be deposited directly into your bank account within 14 days.
The payments are made automatically so you don’t need to apply.
You may be entitled to multiple payouts if the cold weather continues for more than a week.
Households on certain benefits will normally be eligible for the cash boost.
These include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
However, each benefit has its own criteria you may need to fulfil to get the payment. You can check these on the DWP website.
You can check if you are due a cold weather payment in the coming weeks by visiting coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk.
If you live in Scotland, you won’t be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment – but you can get a Winter Heating Payment instead.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
