Date: 3 February 2012

If you're on a low income, you might be entitled to extra help during the cold weather.

You might be able to get a cold weather payment for every week of very cold weather in your area. It doesn't matter what you spend the money on, and you don't have to pay it back.

The temperatures in your area have to be recorded or forecast to be below zero for seven consecutive days.

This year, the cold weather payment is £25 for each period of cold weather.

To get a cold weather payment you have to be receiving certain benefits. If you are and the weather is cold enough in your area you will automatically receive a cold weather payment. You don't have to apply for the payment.

For more information about cold weather payments, see Cold weather payments.

You can also find out more about cold weather payments and check whether a payment is due for your area on the Directgov website at: www.direct.gov.uk.