HUNDREDS of thousands of households are getting £25 cold weather payments to help with heating costs. It comes as a cold snap grips the UK, with several amber and yellow weather warnings for

Arctic weather has brought snow, sleet and hail, causing flight cancellations, rail disruptions and the closure of hundreds of schools, with further hazards expected later in the week.

Freezing temperatures across the UK have activated cold weather payments in over 400 postcode areas from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). To help support people during cold snaps like these, qualifying households receive a one-off payment of £25, triggered by a seven-day period during which the temperature is at or below zero degrees.

The UK experienced sub-zero temperatures on Monday with Scotland experiencing heavy snow and travel disruption

The scheme runs every winter from November 1 to March 31, covering the coldest months of the year. Crucially, payments are automatic, there is no need to apply, and the money is paid directly into the same bank account as your benefits. Sign up for our daily newsletter - breaking headlines and leading news sent to your inbox.

The worst-affected areas are in Scotland, with parts of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire experiencing up to 10cm of snow by 6am. In England, snowfall is forecast to be slightly lighter, around 5cm. However, it will still blanket much of the country from Newcastle in the north to Hertfordshire in the south.

Read expert advice on exactly how cold is too cold to walk your dog in the winter months. Plus, our top tips on how to look after your pooch when the temperature dips.

Cold Weather Payments are a government initiative designed to support people on certain benefits during spells of very cold weather. Typically, if the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days in your area, a one-off payment of £25 is triggered for each week of qualifying cold weather.

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An amber warning for snow has been issued for large parts of northeast and northern Scotland from 11am until 7pm on Tuesday, with forecasters warning of 5-10cm of snow widely, and up to 15cm in places.