Cold Weather Payments Activated in 400+ Postcodes: Check Your Eligibility

The United Kingdom is experiencing a severe cold snap as the new year begins. With freezing temperatures affecting various regions, the Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice throughout the first week of January 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated the Cold Weather Payment scheme to assist vulnerable households during this period.

Cold Weather Payment Scheme Overview

The Cold Weather Payment offers a one-time payment of £25 for each seven-day period when the temperature in a designated area drops to zero degrees Celsius or below. This financial support is available to qualifying households from November 1 to March 31 each year. The DWP reports that approximately 674,000 households across over 441 postcode areas will be eligible for this assistance during the current cold spell.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Cold Weather Payment, applicants must be receiving at least 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

Additionally, those not receiving Pension Credit may need to have specific conditions, such as a health issue or caring responsibilities, to be eligible.

Automatic Payments and Timing

Payments are made automatically and should appear in the recipient’s bank account within 14 working days following the cold period. The reference for these payments will be labeled as ‘DWP CWP.’ If eligible individuals do not receive their payment, they should reach out to the DWP for assistance.

Impacted Areas and Weather Conditions

The cold weather payments are being issued to households in several regions across England and Wales, including areas in the Lake District where some households received up to three payments last year, totaling £75. However, it is important to note that residents in Scotland will not receive these payments, as the Scottish government has implemented its own Winter Heating Payments scheme.

Conditions Ahead

As winter continues, residents should remain aware of the evolving weather conditions. The DWP monitors temperature levels across UK postcodes to determine eligibility for the Cold Weather Payment. For the latest updates, individuals can check their eligibility based on their locality.

This initiative is part of wider government measures, as emphasized by Pensions Minister Torsten Bell, to ensure that vulnerable households receive adequate support during challenging weather conditions.