Press Release  7 January 2010

Flick Drummond reports that Cold Weather payments will be made to qualifying people in Portsmouth

“We have had one or two people calling our office concerned that they have been told that our area does not yet qualify for cold weather payments despite the fact that for the last two weeks we’ve had frost on the ground.

“I contacted the Department of Work and Pensions who have informed me that they have  triggered 1 cold weather payments for the Portsmouth postcode areas. This year you will get £25 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below, over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.

“It would be hugely concerning if, after two weeks of freezing weather, the cold weather payments to pensioners were not being made. There are very many people in this area for whom this severe weather is a cause of huge worry over heating bills. I am pleased, however, that the Department of Work and Pensions have confirmed that cold weather payments will be made in Portsmouth.” Payments will be made directly to those who qualify.

Extra information from the Department of Works and Pensions.

You do not need to claim. We automatically pay anyone who can get a Cold Weather Payment. Tell your pension centre or contact Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.

• Employment and Support Allowance – introduction

• Pension Credit

You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:

• a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium

• a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium

• a disabled child premium

• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element

• a child who is under five in the family