Who can claim cold weather payments as UK temperatures plunge

• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) operates a Cold Weather Payment scheme to support households during freezing temperatures.
• A one-off payment of £25 is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in an area is at or below zero degrees Celsius.
• An estimated 674,000 households across 441 postcode areas in England and Wales are eligible for a payment for the period of 30 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.
• Eligibility requires recipients to be on certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit, often with additional conditions like health issues or caring responsibilities.
• Payments are made automatically within 14 working days, though households in Scotland receive an annual Winter Heating Payment instead of the DWP scheme.

IN FULL

Cold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes – check if you’re eligible