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Households hit with ‘overlap penalty’ for DWP Cold Weather Payment

Press/Media

Description

A call has been issued to fix the Cold Weather Payments system due to an ‘overlap penalty’ which is pushing people into fuel poverty instead of using their heating.

Cold Weather Payments, introduced all the way back in 1986, see people who receive certain benefits given an automatic payment of £25 for every seven days that the temperature drops below 0C in winter.

Subject

A call has been issued to fix the Cold Weather Payments system due to an ‘overlap penalty’ which is pushing people into fuel poverty instead of using their heating.

Cold Weather Payments, introduced all the way back in 1986, see people who receive certain benefits given an automatic payment of £25 for every seven days that the temperature drops below 0C in winter.

Period4 Aug 2025

Media coverage

1

Media coverage

  • TitleHouseholds hit with ‘overlap penalty’ for DWP Cold Weather Payment
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletDaily Express UK
    Media typeWebsite
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/08/25
    DescriptionA call has been issued to fix the Cold Weather Payments system due to an ‘overlap penalty’ which is pushing people into fuel poverty instead of using their heating.

    Cold Weather Payments, introduced all the way back in 1986, see people who receive certain benefits given an automatic payment of £25 for every seven days that the temperature drops below 0C in winter.
    URLhttps://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2090983/households-hit-overlap-penalty-dwp
    PersonsTom Longden
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