£25 cold weather payments return today – full list of who qualifies and when you'll get one
The period where the government pays out £25 to certain people in the form of 'cold weather payments' has just started, and will carry on for the next few months.
Those who qualify for the payment should get it automatically if the weather drops below a certain point for long enough, but just to be on the safe side it's worth brushing up on the rules.
According to the government this 'very cold weather' means that the average temperature in your area is zero degrees or lower for seven days in a row.
That is absolutely freezing weather and you will notice it if it happens, so as winter gets closer you'll want to be well acquainted with exactly who this money is for and how it's supposed to get to you.
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This isn't the same thing as a winter fuel allowance, so it's best not to get those two mixed up if you're in the UK and wondering if you could get some money.
Who qualifies for cold weather payments
First and foremost, not people in Scotland.
They don't get cold weather payments, but they might get winter heating payments instead which is £62 to people on certain benefits in December.
Speaking of benefits, that's the qualification criteria for cold weather payments according to the government.
If you're on pension credit, income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), universal credit or get support for mortgage interest then you may be eligible for cold weather payments.
For those on ESA you should get it if you're in a work-related activity group or support group, but if you're not in either of those then you may still be eligible if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child or a child under five years old living with you.
Those on universal credit can get cold weather payments if they're not employed or 'gainfully self-employed', and don't have a partner that also meets this criteria.
You'll also need either you or a partner to have a health condition or disability that limits your capacity for work, or have a child younger than five living with you.
If you have a disabled child living with you the employment status of you or your partner is no longer counted.
The extra criteria for those on support for mortgage interest matches those for people on ESA.
When you get £25
As long as you're eligible then you will get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between today (1 November) and 31 March next year.
Your payment should come within 14 working days and it'll go into the same bank account as your benefits.
If you think you should be getting the benefit and haven't then you should talk to the pension service or Jobcentre Plus.
Joe Harker