More than 700,000 households across Britain are set to receive a financial boost to help with heating costs after a severe cold snap gripped the nation. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated its cold weather payment scheme for 697 postcode areas following a period of freezing conditions.
Freezing Temperatures Trigger Support
The new year began with an intense icy blast, with the Met Office recording the coldest night of winter so far. Temperatures plummeted to as low as -12°C in some regions, with the Scottish Highlands, Norfolk, and Suffolk all experiencing readings below -10°C. A series of weather warnings for snow and ice were issued for the first weeks of January 2026.
Under the DWP scheme, a one-off payment of £25 is made for every seven-day period where the average temperature in a local area is recorded at or below zero degrees Celsius. The recent freeze led to triggers on six separate days: 30 December, and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 January.
Who Qualifies and How to Get Paid
The payment is designed to support vulnerable households during the coldest months. To be eligible, you must be receiving one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Universal Credit. Some claimants may also need to meet additional criteria, such as having a health condition or caring responsibilities.
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell stated: “As temperatures plunge, cold weather payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households. Combined with our triple lock commitment, we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this winter.”
Payments are made automatically within 14 working days of the cold period to the bank account where benefits are usually received. The payment reference will appear as “DWP CWP”. The scheme runs annually from 1 November to 31 March, and households can receive more than one payment if their area experiences multiple qualifying cold spells.
Postcodes Affected and Regional Differences
The triggered postcodes span England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, the affected areas include BT24, BT25, BT26, BT30, BT31, BT32, BT33, and BT34. Some regions, particularly in the Lake District (postcodes such as CA9, CA10, CA11), have qualified for two payments totalling £50 due to extended periods of freezing weather.
It is important to note that the scheme does not operate in Scotland. The Scottish Government has replaced it with its own annual Winter Heating Payment. The DWP uses its own equipment to monitor temperatures, and those who disagree with a decision can appeal directly to the department.
With winter set to continue, eligible residents in the hundreds of affected postcodes are urged to check their bank accounts for the support and contact the DWP if they believe they qualify but have not received a payment.
