The rest of 2016 is showing signs of being settled under High pressure with a colder than average theme. There are 2 types of government payments available, mainly for the elderly
There are signs that Winter 2016/17 will be colder than average. The Netweather Winter forecast shows cold themes for December and January with plenty of dry weather for December as our current high pressure just stays.
The Met Office have also issued their winter outlook, which also leans towards lower than average temperatures for the UK, with Dr Jeff Knight stating
Weather patterns with more frequent northerly or easterly winds are favoured, which increases the risk of cold weather.
November has already been cold, with frosts for northern Britan and Northern Ireland later in the month and then frosts for southern Britain right at the end of November. It wasn't that long ago that we had the =2nd warmest September month (since records began) with 34.4C in Kent. Is that now a distant memory?
Winter Fuel Payments
One payment is automatic for everyone born before 5 May 1953 (the 2016 date), get the State Pension or another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit). There are lots of other qualification clauses. This should be paid in November and December and on the GOV.UK website it says you should receive it before Christmas. It is between £100-£300 and is to help with Heating Bills.
Cold Weather Payments
The other depends on the weather.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for 7 consecutive days.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2016 to 31 March 2017, with a payment of £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between these times. This payment is very much related to benefits and should be paid automatically if the weather conditions are met in your area. Worth checking though.
More information Winter payments