Cold Weather Payments are issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days
The first Cold Weather Payments worth £25 were triggered this week after parts of the UK were hit with snow.
Cold Weather Payments are issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days. To get the cash, you have to claiming certain benefits.
While the payments are worth £25 per seven day period, you can receive multiple Cold Weather Payments if you get several periods of freezing weather over winter. The Cold Weather Payment scheme will run until March 31, 2025. It is important to keep an eye out for these payments after Ofgem confirmed energy bills will rise again this January.
If you find you’re due a Cold Weather Payment, the money will be paid into your bank account automatically within 14 working day – although there are some cases where you may need to apply. You can see if you are due a payment by entering your postcode on this GOV.UK checker.
The first Cold Weather Payments were triggered in the following 18 postcodes this week:
- CA9 Leadgate, Cumbria
- CA10 Cliburn, Cumbria
- CA11 Catterlen, Cumbria
- CA12 Keswick, Cumbria
- CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
- CA17 Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
- LA8 Kendal, Cumbria
- LA9 Kendal, Cumbria
- LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria
- LA21 Coniston, Cumbria
- LA22 Lakes, Cumbria
- LA23 Windermere, Cumbria
- NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland
- NE47 Allendale, Northumberland
- NE48 Bellingham, Northumberland
- NE49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland
- TD9 Scottish Borders (parts in England)
- DG14Dumfries border (parts in England)
You could be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting one of the following benefits.
-
Pension Credit
-
Income Support (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
-
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
-
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
-
Universal Credit (if you’re not employed or “gainfully” self-employed, your partner is not employed or “gainfully” self-employed – you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you)
-
Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
If you claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus to get a Cold Weather Payment if:
- You’ve had a baby
- A child under five has come to live with you
If you’ve not received a Cold Weather Payment and you think you’re eligible, contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland anymore – but you might be entitled to an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment instead.
