When the temperature drops to freezing for a week, heating bills jump fast.
The Cold Weather Payment is designed to give low-income households in England and Wales a bit of extra support when the cold becomes too much to handle.
It’s £25 for every 7-day stretch in which the temperature stays at 0°C or below in your local area.
Earn a bit of extra money in your spare time with surveys, offers and other simple tasks you can do at home.
New users can currently get a bonus when they sign up.
Claim sign-up bonusThe easiest way to check is by popping your postcode into the official government checker.
Here’s how everything works and who gets the money.
What the Cold Weather Payment is
Cold Weather Payments are small top-ups that help with heating costs during very cold spells.
They are separate from the Winter Fuel Payment and from Cost of Living payments. They only run from 1 November to 31 March each year.
You don’t need to apply. If you qualify, the money goes straight into your bank account automatically.
Read next: 10 charities and schemes offering cost of living help this winter
How the temperature test works
The system checks whether your postcode has had seven days in a row at 0°C or below.
Every postcode district in England and Wales is linked to the closest matching Met Office weather station, which reports the temperature every day. Cold Weather Payment checker sh…
If that weather station shows a full week of freezing weather, a £25 payment is triggered for everyone in that district who qualifies.
Some UK areas already have yellow and amber warnings this winter, so there is a real chance the first payments of the season could be triggered soon.
Read next: How to keep warm without heating or radiators
Who can get a Cold Weather Payment
You must live in England or Wales and receive one of the qualifying benefits. The list includes:
Income-based benefits
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension age
- Pension Credit
Universal Credit
- You may qualify if you have limited capability for work, a disabled child, or a child under 5.
Support for Mortgage Interest
- Only with certain additions, such as a disability premium, pensioner premium, a disabled child, or a child under 5.
Payments work differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as those nations run their own versions of winter support.
Read next: Free energy gadgets you can get now to help cut your bills this winter
How to check your postcode
You can check the latest triggered postcodes using the government’s official postcode tool.
It tells you whether your area has met the freezing-weather rule this winter and whether another payment is due.
When you get the money
Cold Weather Payments are issued automatically, and the money goes straight into your bank account.
In previous winters, millions of payments have been made. In 2022 to 2023, around 5.5 million payments went out to 3.7 million people.
If your postcode hits a freezing week more than once, you’ll get another £25 for each qualifying seven-day period.
Quick tips to make the most of the payment
- Put the £25 straight towards heating or topping up your energy account if possible.
- If you use a prepaid meter, check your balance regularly so you don’t run out during a cold spell.
- Let your energy supplier know if you are struggling, as many have hardship schemes or support funds.
- If you’re not sure which benefits you qualify for, free benefits calculators can help you see if you’re missing out.
Skint Dad says:
Cold Weather Payments might seem small, but they make a real difference when your heating is working overtime. If you qualify, check your postcode to avoid missing out.
