The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated Cold Weather Payments across nearly 250 postcode areas in England and Wales, providing vital financial support as freezing temperatures grip the nation. This latest trigger means over half a million households will receive a £25 payment to assist with the cost of heating their homes during the ongoing cold snap.
Which Midlands Areas Are Affected?
The new update confirms that numerous postcode districts across the Midlands are now eligible for the support. This includes specific areas within Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. The Met Office's issuance of multiple winter weather warnings preceded the DWP's decision to trigger the payments.
So far this winter, payments have been activated for a total of 697 postcode districts. Notably, 18 of these areas have qualified for two separate £25 payments, as the qualifying cold period has lasted for two consecutive weeks there.
How the Cold Weather Payment Scheme Works
The scheme is designed to offer automatic help to those on certain benefits when temperatures plummet. A £25 payment is triggered for an area when the average temperature is forecast to be 0°C or below for seven days in a row. The payment is made automatically to eligible recipients; there is no need to apply.
An estimated 3.9 million people across England and Wales are eligible for Cold Weather Payments under the DWP's rules. Of this total, around 1.2 million are recipients of Pension Credit.
Who is Eligible for the Payment?
The DWP states that individuals claiming the following benefits may qualify for the Cold Weather Payment if they live in a triggered postcode:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
The latest batch of payments, confirmed on 7 January 2026, is expected to reach approximately 532,000 households. A significant portion of these—around 336,000—are located in Greater Manchester. The newly added postcodes for the Midlands region include areas such as ST1-St7 in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, SY1-SY6 and SY11-SY13 in Shropshire, TF1-TF13 in Telford and Wrekin, as well as CV36 in Warwickshire and WR12 in Worcestershire.
