Freezing temperatures at the start of 2026 have triggered Cold Weather Payments for hundreds of thousands of households across the UK.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that over 700 postcode areas have now met the criteria for the payment, following a sharp drop in temperatures in early January. The cold snap means that eligible households in affected areas will automatically receive a £25 payment to help with heating costs. An estimated 700,000 households are set to receive a cash payment of at least £25, which is designed to support the most vulnerable during periods of freezing weather.
What is a 'Cold Weather Payment'?
The Cold Weather Payment is a government scheme that runs from 1st November to 31st March each year. It provides financial support to people on certain benefits when the weather gets particularly cold. You will receive a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
For every seven-day period of freezing weather, you will receive £25. The money is paid automatically into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments, typically within 14 working days of the trigger period. To learn more about the Cold Weather Payment and other ways to reduce your utility costs, check out our guide 'Grants and schemes to help with your energy bills'.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
However, receiving one of these benefits does not guarantee you will get a payment. In many cases, you must also meet specific criteria to qualify.
For example, Universal Credit claimants usually only qualify if they are not employed or self-employed, and also have a health condition, a disability (limited capability for work), or a child under the age of five living with them. Similarly, those on Income Support, JSA, or ESA typically need to have a disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, or a child under five in the household to be eligible. We explain this in more detail in our article 'What is the Cold Weather Payment and are you eligible?'
How to check if you are due a Cold Weather Payment
The latest round of freezing weather has triggered payments in over 700 postcode areas, affecting the South West and South East of England, South Wales, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cumbria, and Northumberland.
If you are unsure whether your postcode has been triggered, the DWP provides a simple online tool to help you find out. You can check if a payment is due in your area by entering your postcode into the official DWP Cold Weather Payment postcode checking tool. The tool will tell you if your area has experienced the required freezing temperatures and if a payment has been triggered. You can also see the dates used if a payment has been triggered, as well as the weather station used to determine the temperature.
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