DWP alert over November payment change – ‘check your bank statements’
By Google News Personal Finance ·
Benefit claimants are being advised to keep an eye on their bank statements ahead of a potential payment change this November. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that several additional payments could be available to people across the UK as temperatures begin to fall.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme, which came into effect on Sunday (November 1) and runs until March 31, aims to provide low-income households with support during the winter.
Eligible claimants will receive a payment of £25 for every seven-day period when the local temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below. The tax-free payment is paid automatically into your bank account within 14 working days after the freezing period ends. It can be triggered one or more times over the six-month period in a particular area.
As reported by Cambridgeshire Live, Paul Stringer, director and finance expert at loans provider Norton Finance, said: "Check your postcode using the DWP's Cold Weather Payment checker to confirm if your area triggered a payment from the cold spell.
"Check your bank statements for a payment labelled DWP CWP, or if you're on Universal Credit, leave a message in your online journal. Otherwise, contact the Jobcentre Plus or Penson Service directly and ask for it to be reviewed."
He continued: "Many missed payments turn out to be down to changes in household circumstances, such as a new baby, a child moving in, basically anything hasn't been logged with the DWP."
The DWP said people on the following benefits may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment if it's triggered in their area:
Mr Stringer continued: "Thousands of people are struggling with energy costs but don't fit the current benefit rules, and Cold Weather Payment eligibility could be expanded in several ways.
“For example, it could be extended to include lower‑income households who are just above current benefit thresholds, or people with long‑term health conditions who face higher heating needs but don't qualify under the existing rules."
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Meanwhile, the payment could also be increased as the current value of £25 has been in place since 2010. According to Mr Stringer, it could be reviewed to "reflect current energy costs".
He explained: "One option could be to increase the payment in line with inflation or average heating during colder periods. Another option could involve linking the payment value to energy prices, so the level of support is adjusted automatically when fuel costs fluctuate."
The Met Office has issued its forecast for November, with cold temperatures a possibility. In its long-rang forecast from Friday (November 6) until Sunday, November 15, the forecaster predicts breezy weather with temperatures "initially a little below average".
The forecast states: "High pressure is likely to dominate conditions across much of the UK initially, with large amounts of cloud at times but any amounts of rain or drizzle tending to be small. Quite breezy in the south, but a greater chance of some fog patches in northern areas where winds will be lighter.
"As the high pressure begins to migrate away to the east, frontal systems may attempt to bring some occasional rain to parts of the southwest and/or…
Originally published by Google News Personal Finance
