The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Cold Weather Payment scheme returns on Sunday, November 1, with eligible households able to claim £25 for each seven-day period of freezing temperatures. However, a security warning has been issued as research shows British victims lose an average of £458.45 per message-based scam.
Payment details and eligibility
Under the scheme, which runs from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland receiving certain low-income benefits may qualify for £25 for every seven-day stretch where the average local temperature is recorded or forecast as 0°C or below. Last winter, nearly 1.5 million households in England and Wales had received a payment by mid-February, including areas such as West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Wales.
People receiving Pension Credit typically qualify, while some households on Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Support for Mortgage Interest may also be eligible depending on their circumstances. Residents of Scotland do not qualify as they receive an alternative annual Winter Heating Payment. Payments are made automatically into bank accounts within 14 working days of the qualifying cold weather period.
Scam warnings and expert advice
Local authorities, including Nottinghamshire County Council and Dorset Council, have warned about winter heating support scams. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky's research found that British victims lose an average of £458.45 per message-based scam, with fraudsters using AI-powered tools and brand impersonation to trick consumers.
Tom Rogers, content specialist at Manage At Home, provided seven practical tips for households. He warned that AI technology can help criminals create convincing messages and websites, and that correct spelling, professional language, and recognisable branding should not be taken as proof of legitimacy. He stressed that Cold Weather Payments are issued automatically and that recipients do not need to follow links, pay fees, or complete applications.
How to stay safe
Rogers advised ignoring messages asking recipients to apply, activate, or release their payment, and to be wary of 'last chance' deadlines or threats of losing entitlement. He noted that poor spelling is not a reliable scam indicator, as AI can produce professional-looking communications. He recommended focusing on what is being asked, such as disclosing PINs or one-time passcodes, installing remote-access software, or moving money to a 'safe account'.
If someone claims to be from a bank, Rogers advises hanging up and calling 159 or the number on the back of a bank card, rather than using a number supplied by the caller. Missing payments should be chased through usual benefit contacts, such as the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus, or via an online journal for Universal Credit claimants.
Suspicious texts can be reported free of charge by forwarding them to 7726, and suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Rogers added that anyone who has shared banking details or sent money should contact their bank immediately through a trusted route, and that discussing unexpected payment messages with a trusted person can help before acting.
