DWP reveals exact date that cold weather payments will start this winter – can you get free cash for your energy bills?

THE exact date households could start getting free cash to help with their energy bills has been revealed.

Cold Weather Payments is a type of support set up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with energy costs when temperatures drop.

To be eligible for the cash boost you must be on state benefits such as Universal Credit or Income Support.

Temperatures also must hit zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days for the sum to be paid out.

You do not need to apply for the scheme as the money will be paid into anyone who qualifies account within 14 days.

If you meet the requirements, you will receive £25 for each seven day period of incredibly cold weather.

These payments will start on November 1 and will be available up until March 31.

Who is eligible for a cold-weather payment?

You will receive the payment if you meet the criteria and on any of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may also have to meet one or more of these 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

How do I apply for the payment?

You do not have to apply for the payment as it is paid automatically to those you are eligible.

However, if you are worried about your energy bills this winter then it is worth checking if you are missing out on benefits that could help you qualify for the payment.

Using a benefits calculator can be an easy way to do this.

There are a number of these tools online and they are free and anonymous to use.

For example, charity Turn2Us’ has a benefits calculator that works out what you could get.

Entitledto’s free calculator determines also whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

You can also use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

If you do not want to do this online you can visit your local Citizens Advice and speak to an advisor.

You can find your local Citizens Advice by visiting its website, which can be found by searching, www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/about-us/contact-us/nearby.

What other help is available

A number of energy firms have support for struggling customers.

Many gas and energy suppliers offer grants and schemes for customers who are struggling.

For example, British Gas has a fund open to pre-payment meter and credit customers who have found themselves in debt worth up to £1,700.

The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.

This scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.

You might be able to get help with essential costs from your local council through a programme called the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The funding is designed to help people who are vulnerable or can’t afford to pay for necessities like energy bills, water bills, and food.

Some councils offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays, as well through the scheme.

Eligibility criteria varies by council, so you need to check your local authority’s website to see what’s available and how to apply.

The Sun recently published an article on all the bill help worth over £5,000 which you can check out here.