Payment value
£25 per trigger
Guide
Cold Weather Payment
Automatic £25 support during qualifying cold spells for households on eligible benefits.
At a glance
Cold Weather Payment basics
Application
Automatic
When paid
After qualifying cold periods
Eligibility
Who can receive it
Cold Weather Payment is generally for people receiving specific means tested or pension benefits. Some households also need to meet additional conditions, such as having a disability or a child under a certain age.
Check current GOV.UK criteria every winter because qualifying rules can change.
How triggers work
Weather station based payments
Payments are linked to local weather station areas, not your personal meter usage. If your area records or forecasts seven consecutive days at or below the threshold temperature, a payment is triggered for eligible households.
If payment is missing
What to check
Check if your postcode weather station triggered a payment period.
Confirm you were receiving a qualifying benefit during that period.
Contact DWP if you believe payment should have been made.
FAQ
Cold Weather Payment questions
How much is each Cold Weather Payment?
Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each qualifying seven day period of very cold weather in your area.
Do I need to apply for Cold Weather Payment?
No. If you receive a qualifying benefit and temperatures trigger the scheme, payment is made automatically.
Can I get more than one payment in winter?
Yes. Multiple payments can be made if more than one qualifying cold spell is recorded for your postcode area.
Key terms explained
- Qualifying benefit: A benefit that meets Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules for Cold Weather Payment, such as Pension Credit or certain income related benefits.
- Cold spell trigger: A weather station reading or forecast that meets the scheme threshold for seven consecutive days.
Check the other support you may be entitled to
Use the support finder to see which schemes may apply to your household, then read the relevant guides for application steps.
Use the support finderWhile you are reviewing your energy costs, it may also be worth checking whether a cheaper tariff is available at your postcode. Compare at Utility Matchmaker →