Northern Ireland Cold Weather Payments explained as Met Office issues snow warning

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across Northern Ireland, with temperatures taking a dip this week.

As the weather gets colder, cold weather payments may be available to people in certain postcodes in Northern Ireland. The Cold Weather Payment scheme reopened this year on November 1, and will run through to March 31, next year.

Those who recieve certain benefits will get a payment if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. No payments have been triggered yet so far this year - but it may only be a matter of time with temperatures set to remain low in the coming days.

Read more: New weather warning for snow and ice issued across NI

Read more: Martin Lewis' urgent alert if you earn under £35k you could get £6k payment

People will be able to receive £25 for every seven day period that temperatures are below freezing and you do not need to apply, if you’re eligible, you’ll be paid it automatically.

NI Direct says after each period of very cold weather in your area, you "should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments." NI Direct have confirmed Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments in Northern Ireland?

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:

If people do not receive a Cold Weather Payment but believe that they are elgible for one, they are being asked to tell their "Northern Ireland Pension Centre or your local Jobs and Benefits office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not."

For more information, click here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.