Borough residents could claim a cold weather payment

Could you be entitled to a cold weather payment?

Cold weather payments have kicked in across parts of Oldham and Greater Manchester.

Arctic temperatures mean that if you live in one of the following postcodes below you could be in line for a payment of £25: OL1, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL5, OL6, OL7, OL8, OL9, OL10, OL11, OL12, OL15 and OL16.

According to the Government, residents claiming certain types of benefit payments are entitled to the cash if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

They must be in receipt of pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or universal credit.

The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31 and those qualifying get a payment of £25 for each seven-day period of ‘very cold weather’, with the cash paid out automatically.

It is expected to remain freezing across the region until at least Saturday, with specific Met Office weather warnings in place today, Friday and Saturday after the first real snow of the winter landed in Greater Manchester this week.

Anyone who believes they should have received a payment but hasn’t is advised to alert their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus.

The universal credit helpline on 0800 328 9344 can also be used.