DWP Cold Weather Payment Tool Helps You Check If You’re Owed Up to £50

London: Households across the UK might be missing out on up to £50 because of the recent cold snap. If you’re on certain benefits, you could get extra cash to help with heating costs. The DWP runs this Cold Weather Payment scheme from November to March each year.

When the temperature dips below 0°C for a week straight, eligible households get a one-time payment of £25. If it happens two weeks in a row, that’s a total of £50.

The first payments of the year have kicked in since the UK has seen some chilly weather. Payments are made if temperatures are forecasted or recorded at 0°C or lower for a full week. The DWP has noted that 18 postcode areas in England are set to receive payments for the week of January 2 to January 9.

If you’re wondering if you qualify, you can check the DWP’s postcode checker on GOV.UK. Just remember, you need to be living in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland to be eligible. Unfortunately, folks in Scotland don’t qualify, but some areas in the Scottish Borders that have English postcodes can still get payments.