The new year has brought snow to Northern Ireland which makes it a great time to determine if you are eligible for cold weather payments
As temperatures continue to fall across Northern Ireland, the cooler conditions provide residents with the perfect reason to determine if they’re eligible for the cold weather payments which are on offer.
A weather warning is now in place across Northern Ireland that will last until Monday, January 5. And snow has already fallen in some parts of the region as cold conditions set in across the region.
As long as temperatures remain cold — if you’re receiving certain benefits — you could soon qualify for extra money for each week there is very cold weather in your area.
The Department for Communities has reopened the Cold Weather Payment scheme, which this year runs from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
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What is the Cold Weather Payment scheme?
Those in receipt of certain benefits will get 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. People will be able to receive £25 for every seven day period that temperatures are below freezing and you do not need to apply, if you’re eligible, you’ll be paid it automatically.
The Cold Weather Payment checker will help you see if you are entitled to a payment in your area.
For each seven day period of very cold weather forecast between 1 November and 31 March, you will receive £25. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.
According to NI Direct, you’ll receive a cold weather payment automatically if you are eligible. However, it is important for people to know if they are eligible and the details behind the scheme.
Eligibility for the cold weather payment scheme
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Pension Credit
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Pension Credit.
Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You will usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and have any of following:
- a disability or pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
You will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you get income-related Employment and Support Allowance and are in a work-related activity group, or support group. If you’re not in either group, you might also get Cold Weather Payments if you have any of the following:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
You will usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Support for Mortgage Interest and have any of the following:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- a child under five living with you
Universal Credit
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit, and none of the adults on your claim are employed or self-employed. One of the following must also apply:
- you have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work
- you have a child under five living with you
You will also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim, whether you are employed or not.
What do you do if you don’t receive your Cold Weather Payment?
Tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre or your local Jobs and Benefits office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not.
If you’re getting Universal Credit, sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.
If you do not have an online account, ring the Universal Credit helpline instead. The phone number is on letters about your Universal Credit.
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