The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that thousands of households across the UK are set to receive a £50 bonus payment this January to help with soaring heating costs during the winter freeze.
What is the Cold Weather Payment Scheme?
This vital support is delivered through the government's Cold Weather Payment scheme. The programme is designed to provide financial assistance when temperatures plummet. A payment of £25 is automatically triggered for eligible households in any postcode area where the Met Office forecasts an average temperature of 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
The latest payments relate to a second period of severe cold. For 18 specific postcode districts, a first £25 payment was issued last week, triggered by a cold snap beginning on Tuesday, 30 December. A second qualifying period has now been confirmed for Tuesday, 6 January, meaning residents in these areas will receive another £25, totalling £50 this month.
Who is Eligible for the Payment?
To receive the Cold Weather Payment, you must be claiming one of six specific benefits or support schemes. The eligibility is linked to receiving certain premiums or having specific household circumstances. The qualifying benefits are:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (if you get a disability or pensioner premium, live with a disabled child, or have a child under five)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (with the same conditions as Income Support)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you get a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, live with a disabled child, or have a child under five)
- Universal Credit (if you or your partner are not employed or 'gainfully' self-employed, and you have a health condition/disability limiting work capability, or have a child under five)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (with a severe/enhanced disability premium, pensioner premium, a disabled child, or a child under five)
Payments are made automatically and should appear in the same bank account where you receive your benefit payments, typically within 14 working days.
Full List of Postcodes Receiving the January Payment
The DWP has announced that the following 18 postcode areas in England have qualified for the second payment this month. These are primarily located in Cumbria, Northumberland, and areas near the Scottish border:
- CA9 (Leadgate, Cumbria)
- CA10 (Cliburn, Cumbria)
- CA11 (Catterlen, Cumbria)
- CA12 (Keswick, Cumbria)
- CA16 (Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria)
- CA17 (Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria)
- LA8 (Kendal, Cumbria)
- LA9 (Kendal, Cumbria)
- LA10 (Sedbergh, Cumbria)
- LA21 (Coniston, Cumbria)
- LA22 (Lakes, Cumbria)
- LA23 (Windermere, Cumbria)
- NE19 (Elsdon, Northumberland)
- NE47 (Allendale, Northumberland)
- NE48 (Bellingham, Northumberland)
- NE49 (Haltwhistle, Northumberland)
- TD9 (Scottish Borders - parts in England)
- DG14 (Dumfries border - parts in England)
This targeted support is a crucial lifeline for vulnerable residents facing the dual pressures of high energy costs and extreme winter weather. The scheme runs annually from 1 November to 31 March, with payments triggered whenever the weather in a local area meets the official criteria.
