Thousands of households across the UK are receiving a welcome financial boost this week, with some qualifying for a double Cold Weather Payment totalling £50. The extra support comes after freezing temperatures and snowfall triggered the government's cold weather scheme in specific areas.
Which Postcodes Qualify for the Double Payment?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that 18 postcode districts have now qualified for two separate £25 payments. This occurs when the average temperature in a local area is recorded at zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days on two different occasions.
The qualifying trigger periods were for the weeks beginning December 30, 2025, and January 6, 2026. The postcode areas eligible for the full £50 are:
- CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17
- DG14
- LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23
- NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49
- TD9
These areas, largely in the north of England and parts of Scotland, have endured the most persistent freezing conditions.
Who is Eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
The payment is designed to help vulnerable households with extra heating costs during prolonged cold spells. You may be eligible for the £25 payment if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you get a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, or have a young or disabled child)
- Universal Credit (under specific conditions related to employment, health, or having a child under five)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (with certain disability premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
How and When You Will Be Paid
If you are eligible, the good news is that you shouldn't need to apply. The payment should be made automatically into your bank account within 14 working days of the cold weather period. The DWP uses meteorological data to determine which areas qualify.
However, you must contact the DWP to claim if you have recently had a baby or if a child under five has come to live with you, as this could affect your eligibility. The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs until March 31, 2026.
It is important to note that this scheme does not operate in Scotland. It has been replaced by the annual Winter Heating Payment, which is a fixed sum of £59.75 paid to eligible recipients regardless of temperature.
With winter firmly set in, checking your eligibility for this and other cost-of-living support could provide crucial help with rising energy bills.
