Cold Weather Payments for 670,000 Households, Check If You’re Eligible

More than 670,000 households across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will receive financial support from the government as freezing temperatures grip the country. The Department for Work and Pensions has triggered cold weather payments for over 441 postcodes following a severe cold snap that saw temperatures fall as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius.

The payment scheme provides £25 for every seven-day period when temperatures reach or fall below zero degrees. Eligible households will receive the money automatically within 14 working days into the same bank account where they receive their benefit payments.

Why has the scheme been triggered?

The Met Office recorded the coldest night of winter so far on Monday evening, with several areas across the Scottish Highlands, Norfolk and Suffolk dropping below minus 10 degrees. Weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place across the first week of 2026, with forecasters predicting continued disruption to travel and daily life.

“As temperatures plunge, cold weather payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households,” said Torsten Bell, the pensions minister. “Combined with the biggest ever pension credit take-up campaign and our triple lock commitment, set to increase the state pension by up to £2,100 over this parliament, we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this winter.”

The scheme has been triggered five times since the start of the cold weather payment period on November 1. Payments were activated on December 30, January 1, January 2, January 3, and January 6 as sub-zero temperatures persisted across the country.

Who qualifies for the payment?

Eligible recipients include those receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Support for Mortgage Interest. Those not receiving Pension Credit typically need to have a health condition, caring responsibilities, or young or disabled children to qualify.

The affected postcodes span a wide geographical area. Northern regions including Cumbria, Northumberland, and County Durham are covered, along with extensive areas of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the West Midlands. In the south, eligible postcodes stretch across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Kent. Welsh valleys including Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd, and Caerphilly are also included.

The DWP uses its own temperature monitoring equipment to measure conditions across all UK postcodes. The agency tracks whether areas have experienced seven consecutive days at or below freezing, which triggers the automatic payment. Households that disagree with the DWP’s temperature assessment can appeal directly to the department.

Which areas are affected?

The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings across Scotland and six regions in England. The forecaster warned that heavy snow showers would become more frequent and could merge to give longer periods of snow. Areas most likely to see significant accumulations include southeast Scotland, parts of North and East Yorkshire, and Redcar and Cleveland, where fresh snowfall of five to eight centimeters is possible.

Yellow warnings cover a broader area. The Met Office said snow showers would push inland from the North Sea during Monday, with fresh accumulations likely in many places. Lightning and gusty winds could create additional hazards, particularly near coastal areas.

Scotland operates a separate system. The Scottish government replaced the cold weather payment scheme with annual winter heating payments, meaning Scottish residents in affected areas will not receive these particular payments.

The cold weather payment scheme runs from November 1 to March 31 each year. Households can receive multiple payments if their area experiences repeated periods of freezing temperatures. Last year, some residents in the Lake District received three payments totaling £75.

Eligible households do not need to apply for the payment. The money arrives automatically with the reference “DWP CWP” on bank statements. Anyone who believes they qualify but has not received payment should contact the DWP directly.

Full list of postcodes

How do I apply for the payment?

Eligible households do not need to apply for the cold weather payment. The money arrives automatically into the same bank account where benefit payments are received. The payment reference will show as “DWP CWP” on bank statements.

The payment should arrive within 14 working days of the cold weather period ending. Anyone who believes they qualify but has not received payment should contact the DWP directly to query their eligibility or report a missing payment.

When does the scheme run?

Scotland operates a separate system. The Scottish government replaced the cold weather payment scheme with annual winter heating payments, meaning Scottish residents in affected areas will not receive these particular payments.

The cold weather payment scheme runs from November 1 to March 31 each year. Households can receive multiple payments if their area experiences repeated periods of freezing temperatures. Last year, some residents in the Lake District received three payments totaling £75.

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