Cold weather payments – full list of postcodes that qualify for £25 discounts

THOUSANDS of Brits have been handed a £25 discount on their energy bill because of plummmeting temperatures.

Residents of more than 30 postcodes have received payouts so far this winter under the scheme designed to help people on low incomes.

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Some areas which have experienced extended periods of freezing temperatures have received multiple payouts adding up to £75.

Cold Weather Payments are made when the temperature falls below zero for more than seven days in a row, or is forecast to be, over winter.

For each period those on low incomes getting certain benefits are paid £25 automatically to help cover the extra cost of heating.

The temperatures are measured at local weather stations across the country and apply to different postcodes, triggering the payments to households.

So far 13,000 of these payments have been made since November 1, 2021, just as energy bills have risen for million of households.

The scheme runs until March 31, 2022 so further cold weather could trigger more payments in new areas.

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Department for Work and Pensions minister Baroness Stedman-Scott said: “These additional payments provide support every year to help people experiencing the coldest weather, without anyone needing to lift a finger.

“Cold Weather Payments can be triggered right through to the end of March, giving people facing disproportionately cold weather that extra reassurance over the chillier months.”

Here’s the full list of postcodes that qualify for the payment so far over the 2021-22 winter period:

Aviemore

• AB37
• IV13
• PH19-26

Braemar

• AB35-36
• PH10-11
• PH18

Aboyne

• AB30-34
• AB38
• AB51-55
• DD8-9

Loch Glascarnoch

• IV4
• IV6
• IV7
• IV14
• IV16
• IV23-24
• IV63

So far the locations where payouts have been triggered are located in Scotland as weather further south has so far been unseasonably warm.

Brits enjoyed their warmest New Year’s Eve ever after temperatures soared past 14C breaking previous records.

But temperatures are set to plummet again around the country as the year kicks off.

They could hit as low as 12C in some a fresh band of snow and sleet sweeps across the UK.

You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government’s tool.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

Households are eligible for the extra cash if they are getting the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to meet one or more of the following additional criteria:

• Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
• Have a child who is disabled
• Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
• Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
• Have a child under five living with you

You can find out more about eligibility on the government’s website.

Getting the Cold Weather Payment doesn’t affect any other benefits you get.

If you’re eligible, you should get the payments automatically within 14 days, into the same account where you get your benefit payments.

But if you think you should get the payment and haven’t, then contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office, or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

If you’re getting Universal Credit, you can also sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk