How to apply for cold weather payments

1.7m pensioners missing out on payments

By Elliot Wright, 13th January 2010

Nearly 2m pensioners may be missing out on cold weather payments, according to the Liberal Democrats.

The party has warned that 1.7m OAPs may miss out on the £25 automatically paid out when temperatures plunge below 0C for seven consecutive days because they are failing to apply for benefits to which they are entitled.

The payments only kick in if a person is claiming certain benefits such as Pension Credits, and the Lib Dems have criticised the government for not identifying many pensioners who have not applied.

Cold weather payments are different from the winter fuel payments that help over 60s pay their energy bills.

How to claim a £25 cold weather payment

If you think you, or someone you know, should be entitled to the £25 cold weather payment but have not yet received it, then you must contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible.

You are eligible if you receive Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

You may also be eligible for a cold weather payment if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:

• A pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium.
• A disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium.
• A disabled child premium.
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability. element.
• A child who is under five in the family.

Once you have been identified as being entitled to the cold weather payment it will be paid automatically to you and there is no need to make a claim yourself.