Ukrainians in Britain will receive payments for cold weather: who will receive the benefits.

According to The Sun: Households receiving Universal Credit and other benefits can expect additional financial assistance during the cold this winter.

Cold weather payments are a form of support provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help cover energy costs when the temperature drops.

Families on Universal Credit can receive free funds through the cold weather payment programAlamy

To qualify for this support, you must receive one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or mortgage interest support.

The temperature must drop to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days for the payment to be made.

There is no need to apply, as payments are automatically credited to the accounts of eligible individuals within 14 days.

If you meet the criteria, you will receive £25 for each week of extremely cold weather.

This year, payments will be made from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

Who can receive this support?

To be eligible for support, you need to be receiving one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance based on income (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance based on income (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Mortgage interest support

It is also important to meet one or more of the additional criteria:

• have a disability or receive a pension premium
• have a child with a disability
• receive child tax credit with a disability or severe disability element
• have a severe or enhanced disability premium
• receive payment for limited capability for work
• have a child under five years old in your care

How to apply for the payment?

There is no need to apply, as payments are made automatically for those who are eligible.

However, if you are concerned about your energy bills this winter, it is advisable to check if you have missed out on benefits that could help you receive payments.

Using a benefits calculator can be a straightforward way to address this issue.

There are several online tools available that are free and anonymous to use.

For example, the charity Turn2Us offers a benefits calculator that shows what you may be eligible for.

The calculator on Entitledto can also help determine if you qualify for various benefits, tax credits, and Universal Credit.

You can use the Policy in Practice calculator to find out what benefits are available to you and how much money you will have left each month after housing costs.

Additional support for energy bills

This October, energy bills will rise by £35.14 per year for households consuming a typical amount of energy.

This increase is from the current rate of £1,720, which was set in July under Ofgem's price cap.

This measure only affects those on standard variable tariffs.

However, there are many support programs for those concerned about rising costs.

For instance, British Gas is offering households the opportunity to receive level payments over six months.

Support is also available through the Household Support Fund.

£742 million from the fund has been distributed among all councils in England.

Eligibility criteria vary depending on where you live, but assistance is typically provided to those receiving benefits or with low incomes.

Households usually received assistance of up to £500 to cover rising bills.

4 ways to reduce energy costs

Laura Court-Jones, small business editor at Bionic, shared her tips.

1. Lower the heating temp by one degree

You probably won’t even notice such a minor difference, but it will help save on energy bills. Lowering the thermostat by one degree could save you £171.70.

2. Turn off appliances and lights

It’s simple, but completely turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can significantly reduce your energy costs. Turning off lamps and devices when not needed can help save up to £20 a year on your energy bills.

3. Install a smart meter

Smart meters help monitor energy consumption as they show where and when gas and electricity are used.

4. Consider switching energy providers

Even if you are satisfied with your provider, they may not offer the best terms, especially if you missed the deadline for signing a new contract. If you haven’t checked other rates recently, you might not be aware of better options.

In this article, it discusses financial assistance for households in Ukraine that receive Universal Credit and other benefits, especially in the context of winter cold. The cold weather payment program aims to support those struggling to avoid energy costs when the temperature drops. The difficult economic conditions, particularly rising energy prices, require attention and action from the government, so it is crucial to know about the support opportunities vulnerable populations can rely on.