Households put on alert for emergency £25 cold weather payments as Arctic blast hits UK

The first icy blast of winter is hitting the UK this week, with households being alerted to the possibility of special cold weather payments. Temperatures will plummet towards freezing over the next few days amid snow and ice warnings.

If the weather is particularly cold over a prolonged period, special cold weather payments could be paid out to low-income and vulnerable households to ensure they can keep warm. All eyes will be glued to weather forecasts and temperature gauges over the coming days to see if it stays cold enough to trigger the payments.

They are worth £25 for each seven-day period of "very cold weather". This is when the average temperature is or is forecast to be 0C over seven consecutive days. Residents in rural spots on higher ground, where it is colder, are more likely to get payouts.

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While it will be very cold over the next few days, temperatures are expected to rise towards the end of the week in the West Midlands. That could dash hopes of payments for many people. Those eligible for cold weather money include people on Pension Credit, Universal Credit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

The Government explained: "You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with you.

"You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025."