The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun issuing automatic Cold Weather Payments to hundreds of thousands of households across the country. This financial support is designed to help with heating costs during the recent spell of freezing temperatures.
Who Qualifies for the £25 Payment?
The scheme, which runs until 31 March, provides a £25 payment for every seven consecutive days the average temperature in an eligible area is recorded at, or falls below, zero degrees Celsius. There is no cap on the number of payments, meaning households could receive multiple instalments if the cold snap persists.
Eligibility is linked to receiving certain means-tested benefits. Those who qualify include people receiving:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
How to Identify the Payment in Your Account
Payments are made automatically within 14 working days of a cold weather trigger in a recipient's postcode. The money is paid directly into the same bank or building society account used for benefit payments.
To spot it, claimants should look for their National Insurance number followed by a specific code on their bank statement. For most of the UK, this code is "DWP CWP". For residents in Northern Ireland, the payment will appear with the code "SSA CWP" instead.
What to Do If You Think You've Missed a Payment
The DWP has confirmed that as many as 802 postcodes are eligible in this current round, with some areas having already qualified for two weekly payments, resulting in a £50 double payout.
If you believe you should have received a payment but haven't seen it, the DWP advises taking the following steps:
- Contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.
- Speak to your local Jobcentre Plus.
- If you are on Universal Credit, add a note to your online journal.
This vital support ensures that some of the most vulnerable individuals and families can afford to keep their homes warm during the coldest months of the year.
