Heating your home can be very expensive made worse by the current cost of living crisis. There are financial support options for people on certain benefits to help with this, one of which is the Cold Weather Payment.
Cold Weather Payment is a sum of money that you receive if the temperature in your postcode drops below freezing for 7 or more consecutive days. You must also be on certain benefits to receive it.
Page contents
How much is Cold Weather Payment?
You get £25 for each period of 7 consecutive days of the temperature dropping below freezing.
So if this happens in your area for a fortnight, you’d get £50. The money is to help with the cost of heating your home.
The 7-day period of very cold weather has to have occurred between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.
How many people have received the Cold Weather Payment this year?
The Department of Work and Pension’s latest statistics show around 1,466,000 households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have received a payment so far this year.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “As temperatures plunge, Cold Weather Payments will automatically send support directly to vulnerable households.”
Am I eligible for Cold Weather Payment?
To be eligible, you must:
- Live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- Live in a postcode area that has experienced temperatures of below freezing (0° Celsius or 27° Fahrenheit) for 7 consecutive days.
- Receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-based ESA
- Income-based JSA
- Income Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You can see the full list of qualifying benefits on the Government website.
How do I apply for Cold Weather Payment 2026?
If your postcode area is eligible, you will automatically receive it in the account you usually receive your benefits in.
You can check if you’re postcode is eligible on the Cold Weather Payment checker.
Scotland: Winter Heating Payments
Cold Weather Payments are not available if you live in Scotland. Scotland has its own scheme called Winter Heating Payments. This is a single payment, paid between December and February, and in the winter 2025-26 it is £59.75.
To be eligible you must:
- Live in Scotland
- Receive certain benefits
- Be in receipt of these benefits during the qualifying week.
FAQs
Can I get Cold Weather Payment in Scotland?
You can’t get the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland, but Scotland has its own equivalent. The Scottish Winter Heating Payment is one payment of £59.75.
Who can get Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is for people who receive qualifying benefits and live in a postcode area where the temperature drops below freezing for at least a week.
How much is the Cold Weather Payment?
Cold Weather Payment is £25 for every 7 consecutive days of freezing weather in your area. It is not the same as Winter Fuel Payment.
Find home care near you
