MORE than 10,000 people across the North-East are due to get an extra £8.50 cold weather payment.
Pensioners and benefit claimants in the Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Crook, Spennymoor and Ferryhill areas will receive the payments automatically if their postcode begins with DL12, DL13, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17 or DL18.
The forecast of below-freezing temperatures will also trigger payments in the NE19 area of Newcastle as well as in Hexham.
This is in addition to the one-off winter fuel payment of £200 made to the over 60s.
To qualify, you must be in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee, Income Support or Income-Based Job Seeker's Allowance or have a child under five.
Alternatively, if you or your partner are aged over 60 and get a pensioner premium or you, your partner or your child receive a disability premium, you can claim.
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