Residents in the GU postcode area including Farnham, Haslemere, Alton, Bordon, Liphook and Petersfield may be eligible for extra assistance with their energy bills during the cold winter months.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently triggered Cold Weather Payments for these postcodes for the period of January 16 to 22, as the average temperature at a specified weather station in Odiham was recorded as or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

Guildford postcodes eligible for one cold weather payment, worth £25 for each seven-day period of low temperatures: GU1-6, GU7-35, GU46-47, GU51-52.

To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, individuals must be receiving certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

If the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days, you will receive a payment of £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.

Cold Weather Payments are different from Winter Fuel Payments. The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 and individuals can check their eligibility on the DWP's Cold Weather Payment pages.