The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a reminder for benefit claimants to review their bank accounts, as a one-off payment of £25 could be deposited soon. This payment is part of the Cold Weather Payment scheme, designed to assist those facing financial difficulties during severe weather conditions.
Experts are concerned that many individuals may overlook this payment, which is issued automatically to qualifying recipients when temperatures drop consistently below freezing. Specifically, these payments are triggered when temperatures remain at or below 0 degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days in a designated geographical area.
Understanding the Cold Weather Payment Scheme
The £25 payment applies to individuals receiving one of six qualifying benefits, provided they meet additional criteria. Fiona Peake, a personal finance expert with Ocean Finance, cautioned, “One of the groups most at risk of not realizing they’ve had a Cold Weather Payment are people who are on benefits that qualify but don’t monitor small deposits into their bank account.”
Peake highlighted specific groups who may fail to notice this payment. “Because the payment is automatic, you don’t need to apply,” she explained. “Yet, if someone is moving between addresses, has changed bank accounts, or isn’t checking statements regularly, it’s easy to miss. The payment could get buried among other transactions, especially for those with frequent debits or credits.”
The transaction will appear on bank statements as either “DWP CWP” for residents in England or “SSA DWP” for those in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Cold Weather Payment scheme has been replaced by the Winter Heating Payment, a one-off payment of £59.75 that is issued regardless of weather conditions.
Eligibility and How to Check for Payments
Individuals on certain benefits may qualify for Cold Weather Payments, but additional rules must be satisfied. For example, those on Pension Credit generally qualify, while recipients of Universal Credit must not be employed or self-employed. Furthermore, they must meet one of two conditions: either they or their partner must have a health condition or disability that limits their ability to work, or they must have a child under 5 years old living with them. Notably, if a disabled child is receiving extra support, eligibility for the payment may extend regardless of employment status.
To confirm whether a Cold Weather Payment has been activated in their area, individuals can use the postcode checker available on the government website. If a recipient believes they qualify but has not received the payment, they are advised to contact the Pension Service, Jobcentre Plus, or their Universal Credit helpline for assistance.
As winter approaches, ensuring that eligible individuals receive this financial support is crucial. Monitoring bank accounts for unexpected deposits could help many benefit claimants access vital funds during challenging weather conditions.
