During periods of very cold weather, payments are made by the Government to help people pay for extra heating costs. People in receipt of certain benefits may be able to get Cold Weather Payments - this is a £25 payment for each 7 day period when the weather is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for 7 days.
Payments are made directly into the same bank or building society accounts as benefits payments, and should be received within 14 working days.
For information on eligibility criteria, click on the link below to go to the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility
Has it been cold enough?
Some areas in the north of West Sussex - including parts of Mid Sussex, Crawley and Horsham District have already been cold for long enough. Check here: https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk - you will only need to the first half of a postcode. (NB: at the time of writing this service is very busy and slow to respond, so do check back later)
How Do You Claim?
Payments are made automatically to those receiving the eligible benefits. However, if the claimant has had a baby, or a child under 5 has come to live with them, they should contact Jobcentre Plus, as they won't automatically receive Cold Weather Payment.
You can find out how to contact your local Jobcentre here: https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Stay Well this Winter
The Stay Well this Winter booklet is still available from libraries and council offices, and available to download from www.westsussexenergy.co.uk
Help with Heating & Insulation
Contact West Sussex County Council's partner YES Energy Solutions to find out what help is available by calling 0330 0581 918 or visiting the website www.yesenergysolutions.co.uk/west-sussex-affordable-warmth-scheme