7 Cold Weather Payments You May Be Entitled To This Winter
As the temperature starts to drop, you may be thinking about energy bills and coping with rising household costs. Here's a breakdown of some of the help available to UK residents struggling this winter.
Discretionary Housing Payment - if you’re struggling to pay your rent and you claim Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit, you may be eligible for help from the council of up to £965.
Cold Weather Payment - if you’re on certain benefits you may be eligible for this. The idea is to help those struggling to pay their energy bills, and you could get £25 or more.
Energy Credit - if you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, you can apply to your provider for emergency credit. The amount will depend on your circumstances and provider, though it’s usually around £10.
Household Support Fund - if you receive benefits or are on a low income and are struggling, you can appeal to your local council for help. They’re helping with bank payments and vouchers.
Energy Grants - depending on your energy provider, you may be able to apply for a grant to help pay your bills. For example, British Gas offers grants of up to £1,500, and Octopus Energy users can apply for £500 through their Assist Fund.
Winter Fuel Payment - pensioners may be entitled to help paying their heating bills through the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. All payments will be made between 1st November and 1st December, and there are age and residency requirements to be eligible.
Cost of Living Payments - if you’re struggling with rising costs, you may be entitled to help through Cost of Living Payments, worth up to £899. You need to be getting certain benefits or tax credits to qualify, and you don’t need to apply. If you’re eligible you’ll be paid the same way you’re paid your benefits.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of money saving community LatestDeals.co.uk said, "as winter gets nearer, if you're worried about energy bills and rising costs it's worth looking into any Government schemes or programmes that could help".
NickiBees I know people where both husband and wife are working full time with 2 children in school that get help so maybe check it out, you might be surprised. People who weren’t eligible before are now eligible, it might not be very much but if you only get few pound you will then be eligible for cost of living payments etc
If you qualify, I believe the DWP will automatically be in touch and the payments are automated directly into your bank account or to your energy supplier.
Unfortunately if you get the new style ESA (which I do) you are not entitled to cost of living payment. same amount of benefit but for some reason not entitled to help 