Households eligible for triple Cold Weather Payment of £75 as energy bills rise by £693
CERTAIN households will be eligible for a triple Cold Weather Payment of £75 as energy prices continue to soar
Energy bills: James Cleverly says there will be support available
Yesterday, industry regulator Ofgem confirmed that the energy price cap will rise, resulting in bills rising to almost £2,000 for most households. This comes after the most recent increase to inflation which is already squeezing the finances of many families across the UK. However, some people may be eligible for a triple Cold Weather Payment which could help them through the winter months.
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Cold Weather Payments are given to households if they receive certain benefits and their local areas experience continuous extremely low temperatures over a seven-day period.
These qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Income Support.
If a family were to be eligible for the benefit payment over this period of time, they would receive £25 to help pay their energy bill.
However, one area in the UK has seen the Cold Weather Payment triggered three times due to a longer winter spell which has resulted in them getting triple the amount of support with £75 for their energy bills.
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates 13,000 Cold Weather Payments have been made across various different postcodes.
Cold Weather Payments are only available to UK residents from the start of November to the very end of March.
Due to the Braemas recording extremely cold temperatures over three seven-day periods, residents have been awarded a triple Cold Weather Payment of £75.
In light of the rise in the energy price cap, various organisations and charities have called on the UK Government to roll-out better support measures to assist struggling households.
Age UK has called on the eligibility threshold for Cold Weather Payments to be expended to include more people who are likely to be vulnerable.
Reacting to the news yesterday, Age UK’s Charity Director Caroline Abrahams, outlined what is at stake for pensioners across the UK.
Ms Abrahams said: "On behalf of older people on low and modest incomes we are bitterly disappointed by what we have heard today.
“With average energy bills now set to rise by a whopping £693 per year - and almost certain to increase further in a few months' time - the support the Chancellor has announced simply does not go far enough.
“It will still leave many of these pensioners facing energy costs surging by an extra several hundred pounds that they cannot afford to pay.
“What does the Government expect them to do? Forgo their heating, ration their food or go into debt?”
She added: “These are the only choices that millions of the less fortunate will face, if they have no savings to draw on or family to help them out.
"Tough and stoical though they typically are, many older people will be badly shaken by the news they are hearing today.
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“There's no doubt it will lead to many more turning their heating down or off altogether, because they will know these price surges and the Chancellor's inadequate response signals a crisis in their personal finances, with no end apparently in sight.
“The Government must urgently think again and do more to help them."
A Government spokesperson said: “We recognise people are facing pressures with the cost of living and we want to ensure pensioners receive all of the support to which they are entitled.
“We are continuing to encourage those eligible for Pension Credit, and the wide range of other benefits it can provide, to make a claim.”
