Universal Credit claimants could receive £25 a week to help with winter energy bills
Universal Credit is overseen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), making sure everyone receives the amount to which they are entitled. The sum Britons receive can go towards meeting the day-to-day cost of living, as well as more significant payments. However, as the weather becomes colder, it is likely many will be spending more on energy bills.
Indeed, with millions of families staying in this Christmas, money spent on keeping warm will probably be significant.
Recognising this, the DWP has confirmed many Universal Credit claimants could be entitled to receive £25 rebate per week to help with these costs.
The rebate is known as a Cold Weather Payment, an official scheme set up by the DWP to help those in cold areas each year.
Britons can expect to receive a payment if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
READ MORE: Universal Credit: Government considers £20 legacy benefit uplift
People who wish to check if they are eligible to receive a Cold Weather Payment should do so by visiting the Government’s website.
Users can enter the first part of their postcode into the Cold Weather Payment postcode checker, and then press “continue” to confirm.
However, they will not need to apply for the payment.
This is because those who are eligible should be issued with a Cold Weather Payment automatically for ease.
If someone who believes they are eligible has not received a payment, there are certain actions to take.
Universal Credit claimants should sign into their account and add a note to their journal concerning this.
But for those without an online account, the most sensible step is to ring the Universal Credit helpline instead.
The Government has said this contact information can be found on letters individuals receive concerning their Universal Credit claim.
However, it is not just Universal Credit claimants who can receive a Cold Weather Payment.
Indeed, potentially thousands of people could be entitled if they are receiving other certain benefits.
These are:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
If a person receives Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance they may need to update the DWP in certain circumstances.
This will be the case if they have had a baby, or a child under five has come to live in their home.
The Government has warned that otherwise, these individuals will not automatically receive a Cold Weather Payment otherwise.
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