Cold Weather Payments UK DWP guidance, Digi Mart USA News (England, Wales and Northern Ireland): Fresh guidance has been issued regarding Cold Weather Payments after government officials published updated advice. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today released newly revised easy-read information for those who may wish to claim the support.
A Cold Weather Payment is a £25 government grant designed to help with heating costs during periods of freezing temperatures across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People receiving five types of benefit are entitled to the payment when the average temperature in their area is recorded or forecast to drop to 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
The scheme began on November 1 and will run until March 31. Payments are made automatically into the same bank account as the qualifying benefit within 14 working days of each eligible cold spell.
Cold Weather Payments have no impact on any other benefits received.
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis delivered a stark warning this week, with Money Saving Expert analysis indicating that households could face energy price rises of almost 30% by January. The UK energy price cap increased by 3.6% (rounded to 4%) on October 1, pushing the average annual bill for a typical dual-fuel household paying by monthly Direct Debit to £1,723.
While prices had previously been predicted to rise by over 20% in January, Lewis warned that such predictions are likely to significantly underestimate the true impact.
You usually qualify if you receive one of the following benefits:
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit (with specific criteria such as a disability, a health condition with limited capability for work, or a child under 5)
If you are not in either group, you may still receive Cold Weather Payments if you have certain other qualifying circumstances. If you are eligible, you will receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should receive a payment within 14 working days. It is paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.
Contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you believe you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not yet done so. Universal Credit claimants can sign in to their account and add a note to their journal.
Last February, the DWP confirmed that almost 1.5 million households had received the £25 Cold Weather Payment since December. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said at the time: “This support is a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.
Combined with our wider cost of living support – including a higher National Living Wage, £150 off energy bills, and a £300 Winter Fuel Payment for over nine million pensioners – these measures are making a real difference to households across the country.”
Pensioners on low incomes can apply for Pension Credit, worth on average £86 a week, which also unlocks access to a range of additional support, including assistance with housing costs and free NHS dental treatment.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: “Cold Weather Payments can be a lifeline during cold snaps. With more than half of older people on low incomes across England and Wales regularly sharing that they are worried about meeting the cost of their heating bill, it is crucial that vital support like this reaches those who need it most.
“We welcome this £35 million investment from the UK Government to support people of all ages struggling to heat their homes and look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure older people on low incomes receive the financial support they need.”
