The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will pay £25 to eligible low-income households for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, provided the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
You may receive Cold Weather Payments if you are getting Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you live in Scotland, you cannot get Cold Weather Payments; you might get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
Current cold snap and forecast
The UK has experienced its first cold snap of the winter, with temperatures plummeting. Yellow cold-weather alerts were in place across the north west for a 51-hour period, up until yesterday afternoon. Into next week, unsettled and cold conditions remain with rain, sleet and snow key features.
Although temperatures are not currently low enough to activate the £25 payments for most areas, it will continue to drop as we head further into the winter season. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: "The outlook is changeable with spells of rain, sleet and some hill snow. On Sunday, low pressure will bring rain or showers to many areas."
"Precipitation will be most persistent across northern Scotland, where there is an increasing chance of snow developing later in the day. This will mainly fall over high ground, where accumulations are likely, but some snow could fall to lower levels too. Ice may also become a hazard."
How to get paid and check eligibility
You do not need to apply for a Cold Weather Payment if you are eligible; you will be paid automatically. After each period of very cold weather in your area, anyone eligible should get a payment within 14 working days. It is paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.
You should tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have got a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. You can check your postcode if you live in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and see if you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment using a Government tool.
Keeping homes warm
The Met Office has shared advice for keeping homes warm when the temperature dips. It said: "Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18C."
"This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18C could be good for your health."
The Energy Saving Trust said you should start to put the heating on when you start to feel cold. It explained: "Generally, you'll want to set this somewhere between 18C and 21C, and this will make sure the heating doesn't come on until you need it to."
It also makes sure you're not overheating your home over the winter. In fact, turning your thermostat down from 22 to 21 degrees could save you £90 a year in Great Britain and £100 in Northern Ireland.
