The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun issuing double Cold Weather Payments worth £50 to thousands of eligible households across the UK. This follows an extended period of freezing temperatures that has triggered a second round of automatic financial support.
What Are Cold Weather Payments?
The DWP's Cold Weather Payment scheme is designed to provide crucial support during the coldest months of the year. It runs annually from 1 November to 31 March and offers a £25 payment for each seven-day period where the average temperature in a specific postcode is recorded as 0°C or below.
The payment is intended to help vulnerable and low-income households manage the increased cost of heating their homes during severe winter weather. The key point for recipients is that no application is necessary; payments are made automatically directly into the bank account where benefit payments are received.
Why Have Payments Been Doubled?
In this instance, households in 18 specific postcode areas are receiving a second £25 payment because the qualifying cold weather has persisted. The temperature in these areas has been at or below freezing for a second consecutive seven-day period, automatically triggering the additional support.
This means a total of £50 will have been paid to eligible residents in these locations for the two-week cold snap. The DWP confirms that payments are made within 14 working days of each cold weather period ending.
Full List of Affected Postcodes
The postcode areas where the double payment has been triggered are primarily in the North of England and the Scottish borders. The full list is:
- CA9 Leadgate
- CA10 Cliburn
- CA11 Catterlen
- CA12 Keswick
- CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland
- CA17 Kirkby Stephen
- LA8 Kendal
- LA9 Kendal
- LA10 Sedbergh
- LA21 Coniston
- LA22 Lakes
- LA23 Windermere
- NE19 Elsdon
- NE47 Allendale
- NE48 Bellingham
- NE49 Haltwhistle
- TD9 Scottish Borders
- DG14 Dumfries border
Who Is Eligible for Support?
To qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, you must be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
If you live in one of the listed postcodes and receive a qualifying benefit, the £50 total payment should arrive in your account automatically in the coming days. The DWP reiterates that eligible individuals do not need to take any action to claim the money.
This intervention highlights the ongoing financial pressure faced by many during winter. With the scheme active until 31 March 2026, further payments are possible if another prolonged cold spell occurs in any qualifying postcode area across the UK.
