State pensioners notice bonus payments in bank accounts

Some pensioners have begun to notice special bonus payments landing in their bank accounts. The payments are worth £25 and have been issued to low-income pensioners in certain areas.

The payments have been triggered by the freezing cold weather Britain has experienced over the last week. The Government makes Cold Weather Payments to vulnerable households when the weather stays cold enough for an extended period.

These include people on benefits like Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Support. Money will enter bank accounts automatically if conditions are cold enough. It's forecast to stay bitterly cold for at least the next few days.

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Average temperatures have to be 0C or lower for seven consecutive days in order for payments to be triggered. Recordings are taken from local weather stations. Some payments have already been made where the weather has been coldest in the UK. People can check their postcode on the Government website.

The Government says: "You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with you.

"The payments do not affect your other benefits. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

"You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025."