Cold weather payments are paid by the
United Kingdom government to recipients of certain
state benefits
Welfare, or commonly social welfare, is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be synonymous with welfare, or refer specificall ...
in the event of particularly cold weather in the winter.
The Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Regulations 1988 govern the system under the
Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.
Each time the local temperature is less than 0 °C (32 °F) for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March then a payment of £25 is made. This is in addition to the
Winter Fuel Payment.
From 1 November 2022
Social Security Scotland has run a separate scheme, Winter Heating Payment to replace the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland. This is a £50 flat payment for those eligible, unconnected with the weather.
References
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Social security in the United Kingdom