DWP urges Brits to check support schemes as some missing £150 payments this winter

Many of the DWP’s seasonal benefits kicked in at the start of the month, with the department issuing a notice to the public urging households to check their eligibility for winter support schemes. This could hopefully avoid vulnerable households going without in the toughest months when help is available.

Most winter benefits last until March, which can add up to a hefty sum people might miss out on. Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds warned: “As we head into the winter months, I want to ensure the most vulnerable in our society are getting the support they need, and that’s why we have a range of measures targeted at helping low-income households, such as Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Homes Discount.”

There are 3 main winter benefits offered by the DWP, starting with Cold Weather Payments which should be automatically paid into the accounts of eligible households. The £25 payment is triggered when the average temperature for an area hits zero degree Celsius or lower for seven consecutive days.

To be eligible for Cold Weather Payments you must be claiming Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. People in Scotland cannot claim Cold Weather Payments but could get Winter Heating Payments instead.

The Warm Homes Discount provides £150 to eligible homes at risk of fuel poverty following the staggering 10% price cap increase by Ofgem at the start of October. This benefit is made in the form of a discount on your electricity bill, meaning it won’t be paid directly to you but should be automatically deducted.

You should be eligible for the discount if you live in England or Wales and get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or have a low income and high energy costs. If you live in Scotland you’ll also need to meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

The final seasonal benefit from the DWP is Winter Fuel Payments, which have recently undergone some controversial changes to the eligibility criteria. You could be eligible for either £200 or £300 once-off payment this winter, depending when you were born, if you receive certain benefits including Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit.