The 2013 to 2014 Cold Weather Payment season started on 1 November 2013.
There were no triggers for Cold Weather Payments at weather stations between 21 December 2013 and 3 January 2014 and no payments were authorised in this period.
There has been 1 trigger so far this season.
Background
Cold Weather Payments help people to meet their additional heating costs during periods of extreme cold.
Payments are made to those most vulnerable to the cold:
- older people receiving Pension Credit
- disabled adults and children
- families with children aged under 5 that are receiving an income-related benefit
Payment is made automatically when the average temperature at the weather station linked to an eligible customer’s postcode has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. There are 92 weather stations used in the Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2013 to 2014.
The payment is £25 for each 7-day day period of very cold weather.