Can you get help with bills during cold snaps?

A cold snap can cause countless problems, from your kid’s school being closed to serious travel disruption - but it can also be expensive.

If you’re one of those who puts off switching on the heating, sub-zero temperatures mean you might not be able to put it off any longer.

Thankfully, support is available to help low-income households stay warm in winter.

What are cold weather payments?

If there’s a lengthy cold snap, the Department for Work and Pensions issues cold weather payments to help low-income or eligible households.

This is a one-off payment of £25 made for every seven-day period when temperatures in your area are at or below zero degrees.

If you’re eligible for the payment, you’ll receive it automatically within 14 working days of the cold period.

£35m paid to vulnerable households this winter

This winter, nearly 1.5m households in England and Wales have received more than £35m worth of support.

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden has described this as a “lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet”.

“Combined with our wider cost of living support - including a higher national living wage, £150 off energy bills and a £300 winter fuel payment for over nine million pensioners, these measures are making a real difference to households across the country,” he added.

Who can get a cold weather payment?

You don’t need to apply, as payments are made automatically if you qualify.

You may be eligible if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and you receive certain benefits, including:

• universal credit
• pension credit
• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support for mortgage interest

If you’re on universal credit, you usually qualify if you have:

• a child under five, or
• a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work

The payment is tax-free, doesn’t affect your other benefits, and is paid into the same account as your regular benefits.

What else can I do to stay warm?

Cold weather payments are a big help, but if you’re worried about the cost of keeping warm at winter, there are other things you can do.

For example, you could:

• use a hot water bottle
• have lots of hot drinks
• wear slippers and layer up
• use draft excluders and thick curtains to keep warmth in
• talk to your energy supplier about payment plans or hardship support
• check what other help you’re entitled to, such as the warm home discount or household support fund

We’ve got tons more tips on staying warm and healthy without putting the heating on, plus 50 ways you can save energy.