The UK government offers Cold weather payments to UK residents when they face extreme weather conditions to support them with cold weather dealing expenses. People in the UK may receive this payment this winter between specific periods.
DWP Cold Weather Payments
The UK government offers support to low-income families receiving certain benefits or when they get support for mortgage interest to survive the cold weather below zero for more than a week. The Cold Weather support for the UK people is active every seven days between 01 November 2024 and 31 March 2025 when your area temperature is below zero.
So, in the specified period, if the UK people face cold weather for consecutive seven days, the DWP will process the Cold Weather payment of up to £25. Like now, the DWP has announced the Cold weather payments for the first time this winter to specific areas that suffered due to Storm Bent.
The UK people should understand that payment is only available to postcodes in Northern Ireland, England, or Wales, whereas the Scottish people do not receive any such benefit as they have Winter Heating Payments instead.
What makes you eligible for the DWP Cold Weather payments?
People who meet the following eligibility conditions will receive the Cold Weather payments automatically:
- When you receive any of the below credits, allowances, or benefits from the DWP:
- Pension Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker Allowance (Income Support and Income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance and when you are in the work-related activity group or support group, however, if you are in neither of them, you may still receive the benefits, when:
- You have a child living with you who is under 5 years old or disabled
- You receive the CTC
- You have an enhanced or severe disability premium or Pensioner premium.
- Your area’s average temperature is forecast to be or recorded as Zero Degrees Celsius or in minus for seven continuous days. You can check the eligibility for your area by entering your postcode on the official website.
Postcodes for the upcoming Cold Weather payments
According to the DWP announcement, around 18 postcodes will receive the first Cold weather payment of this winter due to Storm bent. Here’s the list of 18 postcodes where the eligible people will receive the £25 Cold Weather payment:
- DG14 Dumfries border
- CA9 LeadGate Cumbria
- LA8 Kendal, Cumbria
- CA10 Cliburn, Cumbria
- LA9 Kendal Cumbria
- CA11 Catterlen, Cumbria
- LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria
- CA12 Keswick, Cumbria
- LA21Coniston, Cumbria
- CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
- LA22 Lakes Cumbria
- CA17 Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
- LA23 Windermere, Cumbria
- TD9 Scottish Borders
- NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland
- NE 49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland
- NE48 Bellingham, Northumberland
- NE47 Allendale, Northumberland
The Storm bent began on 19 November, and the weather forecast says the snowfall will begin this weekend in most of the country areas. So if the weather conditions remain the same, UK residents from other parts where the temperature decreases to zero or below can expect the Cold Weather payment in the coming winter.
How to receive the DWP Cold weather payments?
As we have mentioned earlier, the DWP made this payment automatically through your benefits payment method, so eligible UK residents do not need to apply for the payment. However, in some cases, the DWP will not automatically disburse the payment, such as:
- You receive the JSA or ESa allowances and you have a baby or child of age 5 or below living with you.
So, if you receive the ESA or JSA income-based or income-related allowance and have a baby or child under 5 living with you, you must report it to Jobcentre Plus to receive the Cold Weather payment.
When will you receive the DWP Cold weather payments?
The UK people receive the cold weather payment for every seven consecutive cold weather days between 01 November 2024 to 31 March 2025. The payment for each week is made within 14 business days.
The DWP will transfer the payment to the same bank account or building society account where you received the other specified benefits payments. If you think you are eligible and did not receive the payment in 14 days, you can contact the Jobcentre Plus or Pension Service office.
You can also inquire about the payment through the Universal Credit helpline number or your online Universal account by adding a note to your journal.
Important Note: The Cold weather payment is a fixed one-off payment, however, it could be affected if one stays in the hospital or any healthcare home during the seven days because you are living in an environment where temperature is regulated and controlled to protect people from extreme cold weather.
So, if you have stayed in the hospital or healthcare home, you must report it as well via the Jobcentre Plus Pension Service office or Universal credit account.
The DWP has announced the Cold weather payment for this week to the eligible people who live in the announced postcodes. People who have a baby or child under 5 should immediately report receiving the payments from DWP or if you don’t have a baby or child, you should wait for 14 days to see the payment.
