THOUSANDS of Brits could get a £25 discount on their energy bill as temperatures drop across the UK once again.

Brits have been warned of an Arctic blast and blizzards hitting large areas of the country.

The chilly temperatures could trigger the cold weather payment – we explain why and how to get the discount.

More than 4 million households have received Cold Weather Payments so far this winter, with many automatically sent the money if they're claiming state benefits.

Payments have been made more than 140 times so far.

The scheme is designed to help people on low incomes with their energy bills when the temperature gets low enough.

Residents are entitled to the money if it's below zero for more than seven days in a row, or it's forecast to be.

Sub-zero temperatures are expected in some parts of the country until next week.

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The warning makes it more likely that a cold weather payment could be made to eligible people living in those areas.

So far, some areas which have experienced extended periods of freezing temperatures have received multiple payouts adding up to £75.

For each period those on low incomes getting certain benefits are paid £25 automatically to help cover the extra cost of heating.

The scheme runs until March 31, 2022 so the coming cold weather could trigger more payments in new areas.

Here's the full list of postcodes that have qualified for the payment so far over the 2021-22 winter period.

• AB30
• AB31
• AB32
• AB33
• AB34
• AB35
• AB36
• AB37
• AB38
• AB51
• AB52
• AB53
• AB54
• AB55
• DD8
• DD9
• PH10
• PH11
• PH18
• PH19
• PH20
• PH21
• PH22
• PH23
• PH24
• PH25
• PH26
• IV4
• IV6
• IV7
• IV13
• IV14
• IV16
• IV23
• IV24
• IV63

You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government's tool.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

Households are eligible for the extra cash if they are getting the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to meet one or more of the following additional criteria:

• Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
• Have a child who is disabled
• Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
• Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
• Have a child under five living with you

You can find out more about eligibility on the government's website.

Getting the Cold Weather Payment doesn't affect any other benefits you get.

If you're eligible, you should get the payments automatically within 14 days, into the same account where you get your benefit payments.

But if you think you should get the payment and haven't, then contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office, or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

If you’re getting Universal Credit, you can also sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.

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