Understanding Cold Weather Payments

What are Cold Weather Payments?

Cold Weather Payments are paid when the average temperature where you live is freezing or below for seven days or more. They are only available during winter. They run from 1 November to 31 March. Temperatures are measured at 72 places in England and Wales. Nearly four million people are eligible.

Northern Ireland runs an identical scheme. In Scotland Cold Weather Payments have been replaced by the Winter Heating Payment. This is paid regardless of weather conditions.

In winter 2023-24 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made nearly 1.2 million Cold Weather Payments in England and Wales. These happened in November, December and January. The last week of November 2023 triggered the most. At that time nearly 600,000 payments went out in 11 of the 72 weather station areas.

You may also want to learn how to reduce your energy bills.

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

A Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each seven-day period of sub-zero temperatures. Payments go into the same bank or building society account as benefits. They are paid within 14 working days of freezing cold spells.

Cold Weather Payment eligibility

You need to be on benefits to get a Cold Weather Payment.

What benefits are eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

The benefits that may entitle you to get Cold Weather Payments include:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance – in a work-related activity or support group
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Some have additional conditions.

Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance

If you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will also need to have one of the following:

• A disability or pensioner premium
• A disabled child
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• A child under five living with you.

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you are on income-related ESA you will get a Cold Weather Payment if you are in a work-related activity group or support group.

If you are not in either, you will need to have:

• A severe or enhanced disability premium
• A pensioner premium
• A child who is disabled
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• A child under five living with you

Universal Credit

If you are on Universal Credit and employed or gainfully self-employed, there are extra rules. These also affect couples on Universal Credit if either of you is employed or self-employed. Payments happen if:

• You or your partner have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity)
• You have a child under five living with you

If you have a disabled child amount in your Universal Credit claim you will get the Cold Weather Payment, employed or not.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

If you are getting Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) you will also need to have one of the following to qualify for Cold Weather Payments:

• A severe or enhanced disability premium
• A pensioner premium
• A child who is disabled
• Child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• A child under five living with you

How are Cold Weather Payments triggered?

Cold weather payments are triggered automatically. The average temperature in your area will need to be zero degrees Celsius (0°C) or below for at least seven days.

What triggers Cold Weather Payments?

Temperatures are measured at 72 monitoring stations in England and Wales. These cover large areas. For example, the whole of London is covered by the mercury level at Heathrow. The Heathrow station also triggers payments for boroughs outside London as far away as Bromley and Croydon.

It needs to be zero degrees Celsius (0°C) or below for seven days in a row.

You can check whether your area had sub-zero temperatures. Enter the first part of your postcode for England and Wales or use the Northern Ireland checker.

Remember: In Scotland you’ll get the Winter Heating Payment regardless.

How to claim a Cold Weather Payment

You don’t need to claim a Cold Weather Payment. Payments are made automatically. But if your circumstances change then you need to let your local Jobcentre Plus know. This might be if you have a baby or you are looking after a child under the age of five, for example.

Can I apply for a Cold Weather Payment

There is no need to fill in a form or apply. You should receive a payment within 14 days of any cold spell.

What to do if you have not received your payment

• Contact the Pension Service if you are over State Pension age
• Contact your Jobcentre Plus office if you are under State Pension age
• If you get Universal Credit, you can leave a note on your journal.

What other help is available with heating during cold weather?

Cold Weather Payments are extra one-off payments. There are other types of help available to support families during the winter months, including the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

Differences between the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Fuel Payment, and Warm Home Discount

Cold Weather Payment

• One-off payment of £25
• Automatic payment ­– no need to apply
• One-off – only paid when temperatures are zero Celsius (0°C) or below
• Does not affect any other benefits
• Does not apply in Scotland

Warm Homes Discount Scheme

• £150 discount on your winter electricity bill.
• You will need to be on either Pension Credit or in a low-income household.
• Your energy supplier will need to be part of the Warm Homes Discount Scheme. Find out how to check your energy supplier or how to switch your energy supplier.
• The money is taken off your bill, it is not a cash payment.

Winter Fuel Payment

• Only paid to people born before 25 September 1957
• Between £250 and £600
• Paid automatically to those over State Pension age, which is increasing each year
• Does not apply in Northern Ireland

Myths about Cold Weather Payments

FAQs about Cold Weather Payments

Do I need to claim a freezing weather payment?

You should automatically receive a Cold Weather Payment. It should be paid into the same bank, or building society account where your benefits are paid. If you start a family or have a child under the age of five living with you then you will need to let Jobcentre Plus know.

What to do if you do not receive your Cold Weather Payments

Contact the Pension Service, Jobcentre Plus office or Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344.

What happens to my other benefits?

Cold Weather Payments do not affect any other benefits or tax credits.

Can I apply for other heating assistance schemes?

If you struggle to heat your home during winter you may get other extra help. Other help includes the warm home discount scheme and the Winter Fuel Payment.

What other benefits are available during freezing weather

• The Warm Homes Discount Scheme can discount your bills.
• The Winter Fuel Payment helps people over pension age.
• MoneyHelper and Citizen’s Advice can also help you with benefits advice, applying for an energy grant or if you are in fuel debt.
• The UK government also has a video with energy saving advice to help cut heating and energy bills during winter.
• The government offers advice on energy bills and energy efficiency – call 0800 098 7950 or go online.

Summary: Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are paid automatically if the temperature drops to freezing or below for seven days in a row in your area. The payments run from 1 November to 31 March. If the temperate freezes more than once, you can get several payments. These sit alongside other winter payments aimed at specific groups.