Cold Weather Payment 2025: How much does it pay and am I eligible?
The first cold spell of winter has blanketed parts of the UK in snow, with temperatures reaching below zero in parts of the country.
Due to the continuation of cold weather, a yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued by the Meteorology Department for some regions.
To support people during cold weather like this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is running the Cold Weather Payment scheme for eligible households.
This is a one-off payment of £25 that is triggered for every seven-day period when the temperature in an area is zero degrees or below.
The scheme is different to the Warm Home Sale, which is set to cut six million households’ energy bills by £150 this winter. This figure is up 2.7 million on last year after the Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced the expansion of the programme.
People who receive certain means-tested benefits, such as the Cold Weather Payment, are eligible for the discount.
Ofgem’s energy price cap for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales increased by 2 per cent from 1 October; In cold weather many people turn on the central heating.
This means that the average household paying for gas and electricity via direct debit has its energy bill rising from £1,720 to £1,755 per year.
Am I eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
Households are eligible to receive payments if they receive any of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Mortgage Interest Support
The payment is triggered for those living in an area that experiences seven days of zero or sub-zero temperatures. Anyone who wants to check if their postcode is in an eligible area can use: useful tool of government.
DWP uses its own equipment to measure temperatures in all postcodes in the UK. If a person disagrees with their decision, it is possible to appeal directly to the ministry.
The program will be valid between November 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. So far no charges have been triggered in any postcodes.
Households in Scotland are not eligible for this scheme as the Scottish government has changed this scheme. Winter Heating Payments.
When will I receive payment?
Households will automatically receive these payments if eligible. They must reach the bank account from which they received their social assistance payments within 14 business days after the cold spell.
Anyone who believes they are eligible but has not received the payment should contact the DWP.
