Find out if you are eligible for the Cold Weather Payment.
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What is the Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is extra financial support provided by the UK Government to people in receipt of certain benefits to help cover the additional costs of energy bills during very cold weather.
Cold Weather Payments will be made to eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you live in Scotland you may be eligible to receive the Winter Heating Payment instead.
Payments are made if the average temperature in your area dips below freezing for seven consecutive days.
Who gets the Cold Weather Payment?
You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and receive:
Pension Credit
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit
Support for Mortgage Interest
There’s some additional eligibility criteria required for the above benefits. We recommend checking whether you are eligible on the Government website. For full Cold Weather Payment eligibility criteria check here.
As the payment is based on local weather, your local area must have been recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days. Check your postcode to see if your area is eligible for Cold Weather Payments.
How much is the Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each seven days of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
When will the Cold Weather Payment be made?
You should receive your Cold Weather Payment within 14 working days of each period of cold weather.
It will be paid to you in the same way as your other benefits.
Are Cold Weather Payments paid automatically?
Yes. If you are eligible you will receive the payment automatically and do not need to apply.
If you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you, tell Jobcentre Plus if you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not.
Will I get the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment?
Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments. If you are eligible, you will receive the Cold Weather Payment in addition to the Winter Fuel Payment.
I think I’m eligible for a Cold Weather Payment but I haven’t received it
If you think you should have received a payment but you haven’t, you will need to contact the service relevant to you:
The Pension Service
Jobcentre Plus
If you receive Universal Credit, you can add a note to your journal on your online account or ring the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
