DWP handing people who claim six benefits free cash to help with UK snow

18 postcodes in England have had £25 Cold Weather Payments triggered - and people are being reminded of the eligibility criteria. The first Cold Weather Payments of this winter have been triggered by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) this week.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues Cold Weather Payments worth £25 every time the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days. You can receive multiple Cold Weather Payments if you get several periods of freezing weather over winter.

You could be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, Income Support (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you) or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you).

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Other criteria include Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you).

Other eligibility criteria includes Universal Credit (if you're not employed or "gainfully" self-employed, your partner is not employed or "gainfully" self-employed - you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you).

And support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you) is also a qualification.