More than four million households across the United Kingdom are in line to receive a special payment designed to help with the cost of heating this winter.
What Are the Cold Weather Payments?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that its Cold Weather Payment scheme is now active and will run until 31 March 2025. The support is triggered automatically when temperatures in a specific postcode area drop to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.
For each qualifying seven-day period of freezing weather, eligible households will receive a £25 payment. The money is paid directly into the recipient's bank account, usually within 14 days of the cold spell being recorded. Crucially, no application is needed for this financial help.
Who is Eligible for the Payment?
The payment is targeted at those receiving certain means-tested benefits. You may qualify if you are currently getting one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
However, there are specific conditions attached to some benefits. For instance, those on Universal Credit will usually qualify if neither they nor their partner are in 'gainful' employment or self-employment. Self-employment is typically considered 'gainful' if it is a person's main job, done regularly with an expectation of profit.
Additional eligibility often depends on circumstances such as having a disability or pensioner premium, or having a child who is disabled or under the age of five living in the household.
Important Exceptions and Regional Differences
Residents of Scotland are not eligible for the DWP's Cold Weather Payment. Instead, they may receive an annual Winter Heating Payment from the Scottish Government.
For eligible households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the scheme provides vital, automatic support during the coldest months. With energy bills remaining a significant pressure on household budgets, these £25 payments can offer crucial assistance to keep homes warm.
The DWP advises that all payments are made automatically, so recipients do not need to contact the department. The scheme is a key part of the government's support package to help vulnerable families manage the cost of living through the winter season.
