Parts of the UK are beginning to receive Cold Weather Payments after bitterly cold temperatures plunged below zero. Benefit recipients will begin receiving £25 payments in their bank accounts due to the freezing weather.

Those who receive a range of benefits can benefit from the Cold Weather Payment scheme. Payments are not made to everyone at the same time - and are usually triggered if average temperatures are recorded below freezing for seven consecutive days, or are forecast to be below freezing for seven consecutive days.

There's a simple way to check if Cold Weather Payments have been made in your area. By clicking on this link people can enter the first part of their postcode. A message will then show up confirming whether or not any Cold Weather Payments have been made.

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Money has so far been sent to people in more than 280 postcodes. It is expected to remain cold over the next few days, meaning more money could be paid out, BirminghamLive reported.

The icy blast has prompted weather warnings from the Met Office., in some parts of the UK. Last year more than 5.5 million Cold Weather Payments were made by the DWP. The DWP says those claiming the following benefits may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest.