Who Can Claim Cold Weather Payments as Temperatures Plummet?

The Chill in the Air: Understanding Cold Weather Payments

The UK is bracing itself for a chilly start to 2026, with temperatures expected to plummet to -5C. As the cold sets in, thousands of households across the country could qualify for government assistance through cold weather payments designed to help them manage their heating bills.

What Are Cold Weather Payments?

Cold weather payments are a form of financial support offered by the UK government to assist those on certain benefits. These payments aim to mitigate the additional costs associated with keeping homes warm during prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures. The eligibility criteria for these payments are based on specific benefit statuses and temperature forecasts.

Eligible Benefits

To qualify for cold weather payments, individuals must be receiving 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 (SMI)

The payments are triggered when the average temperature in an area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over a period of seven consecutive days. Payments are made at a rate of £25 per household for each seven-day period between 1 November and 31 March.

Geographic Eligibility

Around 6,000 people under 18 different postcodes across the UK will be eligible for these payments over the next week. The list of postcodes that have triggered the cold weather payment include:

• Cumbria (CA postcodes)
• Dumfries & Galloway / Scottish Borders
• Northumberland (NE postcodes)

These areas are expected to experience snowfall and icy conditions, making the need for cold weather payments particularly relevant. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across large parts of England and Wales between midnight and noon on January 2nd.

How to Claim Cold Weather Payments

If you are eligible for these benefits, the system should automatically add the cold weather payment after each seven-day period of very cold weather. The money is expected to reach qualifying individuals within about 14 working days and will be added to their usual benefit or pension payments.

However, if no payment has arrived despite meeting the eligibility criteria, you can contact your local pension centre or Jobcentre Plus. For those on universal credit, you can use your online journal or call the universal credit helpline to report it.

Postcode Tracker Tool

To check if your postcode is eligible for cold weather payments, you can use the postcode tracker tool on gov.uk. This resource provides a straightforward way to determine whether your area will receive these crucial financial supports during the coldest months of the year.

The UK government’s commitment to providing such assistance demonstrates its ongoing efforts to support vulnerable households through challenging weather conditions. As temperatures continue to drop, those in eligible areas can rest assured that there is help available to ensure their homes stay warm and comfortable.