The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has triggered Cold Weather Payments in 246 postcode areas across England and Wales, with more than half a million households eligible for a £25 payment towards heating costs. The move comes as the Met Office issues winter weather warnings, with subzero temperatures forecast across many regions.
Affected areas include Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland. An estimated 532,000 households will receive the payment, including around 336,000 in Greater Manchester. The total cost of the payments triggered today is approximately £13.3 million. So far this winter, payments have been triggered for 697 postcode areas, with 18 districts receiving a second payment due to prolonged cold weather.
Payments are made automatically to people receiving certain benefits, including Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Support for Mortgage Interest. A payment is triggered when an area’s average temperature is forecast to remain below zero for seven consecutive days. Eligible recipients do not need to apply, with the £25 deposited directly into bank accounts within 14 working days.
The latest payments are linked to several weather stations, including Rochdale (95,000 eligible households), Rostherne (241,000), and Carlisle (10,000). Scotland operates a separate winter heating payment scheme, while Northern Ireland has its own cold weather payment arrangement.
