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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.
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.
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?
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 this Government 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 this winter (2025-26) it will be £59.75.
To be eligible you must:
- Live in Scotland
- Receive certain benefits
- Be in receipt of these benefits during the qualifying week.
