STORM Darcy has triggered a new wave of Cold Weather Payments for postcodes across Basingstoke.

Those eligible will receive £25 to cover their heating bills, which is paid automatically by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) into their bank account.

Cold Weather Payment is applied when the average temperature in your area falls to 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days or the average temperature for that day and the next six days is forecast to be 0˚C or below. The scheme runs each year from November 1 to March 31.

These are the postcodes near Basingstoke where payments have been triggered so far in the past week (commencing February 8).

Thatcham, RG18

Thatcham, RG19

Basingstoke, RG21

Basingstoke, RG22

Basingstoke, RG23

Basingstoke, RG24

Basingstoke, RG25

Tadley, RG26

Hook, RG27

Hook, RG29

You can check here if a Cold Weather Payment is due in your postcode.

More than 700,000 payments have been made so far this season, following triggers across the UK.

South Farnborough and Boscombe Down are the weather stations that determine the temperature in Basingstoke and surrounding regions.

Do you qualify for a Cold Weather Payment?

You are eligible for Cold Weather Payment if you already receive one of the following:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit

The payment will be made automatically to the bank account you have registered with the DWP. You will receive the payment within 14 days after a seven-day cold weather period.

If you think you are eligible for the payment, but did not receive it, you can contact the pension centre or your local job centre.

Alternatively, you can also reach the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 9344.