Cold Weather Payment scheme: The six groups that qualify and how to check eligibility | Personal Finance | Finance

Since November 1 there have been 3,994,000 eligible recipients for Cold Weather Payments in Great Britain yet only 13,000 households have so far qualified for this money.

These Cold Weather Payments are made when the temperature drops, or is predicted to drop, to zero for seven consecutive days.

They are paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help those on a low income between the age of 16 and state pension age cope with higher heating costs in the winter months.

Payments can be made more than once, and one area in Scotland has already triggered three payments totalling £75.

READ MORE: Universal Credit: Millions could be missing out on up to £1,900