Cold weather could trigger more fuel payments

The fall in temperatures could lead to a rise in fuel payments to help people with the cost of heating their homes this week, the Department for Work & Pensions […]

The fall in temperatures could lead to a rise in fuel payments to help people with the cost of heating their homes this week, the Department for Work & Pensions said.

The Cold Weather Payments are made when the temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.

Low income households and poorer pensioners are paid £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather so they can afford to turn the heating up, helping save money on their energy bills.

According to official figures, a total of 337,000 payments worth £8.4 million were made this winter, up to 23rd January.

Work and Pensions Minister Steve Webb added: “It is vital that we help pensioners and vulnerable people to turn up the thermostat and keep warm when temperatures drop and I expect millions of pounds to be paid out this winter.”

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