Over 10 million pensioners across the UK will not receive Winter Fuel Payments this year, following the Labour Government's decision to restrict the annual heating bill aid to those claiming some means-tested benefits such as Pensions Credit.

But Cold Weather Payments are another way pensioners and working families can get help from the government to pay the increased cost of heating their home this winter.

These are payments made when the average temperature falls to freezing or below for seven days or more.

They are only available during winter and run from November 1 to March 31.

Last winter the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made nearly 1.2 million Cold Weather Payments of £25 in England and Wales, so a total of £30m. The payments were made four times including twice November, then once in December and again in January.

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

A Cold Weather Payment is worth £25 for each seven-day period of sub-zero temperature and payments are automatically made into the same bank or building society account as benefits. They are paid within 14 working days of freezing cold spells.

You need to be on benefits to get a Cold Weather Payment and there is no need to claim.

How do Cold Weather Payments work?

The average temperature in your area will need to be zero degrees Celsius (0°C) or below for at least seven days.

The government has 72 monitoring stations around England and Wales and you can check whether your area had sub-zero temperatures by entering the first part of your postcode for England and Wales or use the Northern Ireland checker.

You don’t need to claim a Cold Weather Payment. Payments are made automatically. But if your circumstances change then you need to let your local Jobcentre Plus know. This might be if you have a baby or you are looking after a child under the age of five, for example.