DWP Cold Weather Payment update as more than £4m paid so far

More than £4million has already been distributed in 161,000 Cold Weather Payments this winter, according to Uswitch.com’s analysis of government statistics. The scheme, which is triggered when local weather station records temperatures at or below 0C for seven consecutive days, has been activated 12 times so far.

Eligible households receive the £25 payments automatically within 14 working days. Those who may qualify are those receiving certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as Pension Credit.

This winter, the scheme has been triggered twice in Penrith in Cumbria, Otterburn, Northumberland and Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway. Areas where it has been triggered once include Alnwick, Northumberland; Bradford, West Yorkshire; Leek, Staffordshire; Hawes, North Yorkshire; Duns, Scottish Borders; and Llanwddyn, Powys.

Cold Weather Payment areas so far this winter

Despite the chilly January, only nine areas have met the criteria for Cold Weather Payments. This winter’s 12 triggers are the lowest number of payments at this point in the year since 2021/22, when the allowance was triggered a mere six times throughout the entire winter, according to Uswitch.com.

The winter of 2022/3 told a different tale, with 89 locations having been triggered between November and the third week of January. That winter saw a whopping 118 triggers, resulting in allowances totalling £138million being paid out.

Residents near the Albemarle weather station in Alnwick, Northumberland, have received the highest Cold Weather Payments over the past four winters. The weather station has been triggered six times during that period, with the 663,000 eligible residents receiving more than £16million.

The top Cold Weather Payments since November 2022 were in Albemarle, Alnwick, Northumberland, with 663,000 residents receiving £16,575,000; Rostherne, Knutsford, Cheshire, with 363,750 residents receiving £15,918,750; Heathrow, Hounslow, Greater London, with 564,000 residents receiving £14,100,000; Bingley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, with 535,500 residents receiving £13,387,500; and Rochdale, Greater Manchester, with 325,000 residents receiving £8,125,000. This is according to Uswitch.com’s analysis of data from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch.com, has warned: “Many households across the country have experienced freezing temperatures in the past few weeks. Cold Weather Payments help many vulnerable people keep the heating on when they might not be able to afford it, and they are more valuable than ever.”

He added: “There are plenty of ways you can act to keep warm when the mercury plunges, including bleeding your radiators regularly to prevent them from getting cold spots and keeping obstructions such as sofas away from them, as the objects will absorb the heat. Draught-proofing is another quick and cost-effective way to reduce how much heat your home loses and can even save you around £20 per year on your energy bills.”

Mr Gallizzi also advised: “For all households, to keep costs down it’s important to track your energy usage and change your habits in a safe and manageable way. Anyone who is worried about paying their energy bill should reach out to their supplier, which might be able to offer advice or support.”

He suggested some practical tips for staying warm in winter, such as using a hot water bottle, especially if you’re working from home and spend time sitting at a desk, and drinking hot drinks to keep yourself warm.

Hot dishes such as soups, stews, and other winter favourites not only provide you with energy but also warm you from the inside. Don slippers and cover your extremities to keep your joints warm – a hat, scarf, and fingerless gloves can help maintain your body temperature when you’re less active, ensuring comfort.

Dress in layers – choose a thermal vest as a base layer and add more on top. This way, if you start to feel too warm, it’s easy to remove layers and cool down as needed.