The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated its Cold Weather Payment scheme, meaning more than half a million households across England and Wales are set to receive a £25 support payment.
Which Areas Are Eligible for the Payment?
The payment was triggered on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, after the average temperature in 246 postcode areas was recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. A significant number of the eligible postcodes are located across the Midlands, including parts of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Worcestershire.
This financial support is designed to help vulnerable residents with the cost of heating their homes during periods of exceptionally cold weather. The scheme runs annually from 1 November to 31 March, with a £25 payment made for each qualifying seven-day period of cold weather within that window.
Who Qualifies for the £25 Support?
To receive the payment automatically, you must live in a qualifying postcode and be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Payments are made automatically into the same account where you receive your benefits, so there is no need to apply. The DWP has stated that over 500,000 households will benefit from this latest trigger of the scheme.
Full List of Eligible Midlands Postcodes
The confirmed postcodes in the Midlands region that will receive the £25 Cold Weather Payment include:
- CV36: Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire
- ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST6: Stoke-on-Trent
- ST5: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
- ST12: Barlaston, Staffordshire
- ST14: Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
- ST15: Stone, Staffordshire
- ST16 & ST17: Stafford, Staffordshire
- ST18: Hopton, Staffordshire
- ST19: Penkridge, Staffordshire
- ST20: Gnosall, Staffordshire
- ST21: Eccleshall, Staffordshire
- ST7: Kidsgrove, Staffordshire
- SY1, SY2, SY3: Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- SY4: Myddle, Shropshire
- SY5: Longden, Shropshire
- SY6: Church Stretton, Shropshire
- SY7: Hopesay, Shropshire
- SY9: Lydham, Shropshire
- SY11: Oswestry, Shropshire
- SY12: Ellesmere, Shropshire
- SY13: Whitchurch Rural, Shropshire
- TF1 & TF5: Wellington, Telford and Wrekin
- TF2: St Georges and Priorslee, Telford and Wrekin
- TF3: Hollinswood, Telford and Wrekin
- TF4: Telford, Telford and Wrekin
- TF6: Rodington, Telford and Wrekin
- TF7: Madeley, Telford and Wrekin
- TF8: The Gorge, Telford and Wrekin
- TF10: Newport, Telford and Wrekin
- TF11: Shifnal, Shropshire
- TF12: Broseley, Shropshire
- TF13: Much Wenlock, Shropshire
- TF9: Sutton Upon Tern, Shropshire
- WR12: Broadway, Worcestershire
Residents are advised to check the official government website, Gov.uk, for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the Cold Weather Payment scheme and to confirm their eligibility.
