A severe cold snap has activated the government's Cold Weather Payment scheme across more than a dozen areas in the Midlands, providing vital financial support to residents struggling with heating costs.
Which Areas Are Affected?
The latest bout of freezing conditions, including snow, has led to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) triggering payments in 14 specific postcode districts across Staffordshire and Shropshire. The payments were officially activated on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
This local activation is part of a wider national response, with a total of 246 postcode areas across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland qualifying for the support on the same date.
How the Scheme Works
The Cold Weather Payment is a £25 tax-free payment issued to eligible households for each seven-day period of exceptionally cold weather. The trigger occurs when the average temperature at a linked weather station is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
In the Midlands, the relevant weather stations are Keele for Staffordshire postcodes and Shawbury for those in Shropshire. Eligible benefits include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Households do not need to apply for the payment; it is issued automatically into the same bank account where their benefits are paid.
Full List of Qualifying Postcodes
The following postcode districts in the West Midlands have qualified for the £25 payment following the recent cold spell:
Staffordshire (triggered by Keele weather station):
- Penkridge, ST19
- Stafford, ST17
- Stafford, ST16
Shropshire (triggered by Shawbury weather station):
- Shifnal, TF11
- Newport, TF10
- Broseley, TF12
- Madeley, TF7
- The Gorge, TF8
- Hollinswood, TF3
- Telford, TF4
- St Georges and Priorslee, TF2
- Wellington, TF1
- Wellington, TF5
- Rodington, TF6
This support is expected to benefit more than half-a-million households nationally, offering crucial help towards energy bills during the coldest part of the year.
