DWP cold weather payments to start this week - check if you're eligible

The Department for Work and Pensions will be starting its Cold Weather Payments scheme this week. Brits may be eligible if they're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

The Cold Weather Payments are £25 paid to those eligible every time the average temperature in their area falls to zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days. If you're eligible, you do not need to apply, as you'll get these payments automatically, and they do not affect your other benefits. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you can expect to receive a payment within 14 working days. It's paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you're getting:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you get severe or enhanced disability premium, or a pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)

• Universal Credit (if you're not employed or "gainfully" self-employed, your partner is not employed or "gainfully" self-employed - you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you)

• Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled,or a child under five living with you)

If you claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus to get a Cold Weather Payment if:

• You've had a baby

• A child under five has come to live with you

Tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have got a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. If you're getting Universal Credit, sign in to your UC account and add a note to your journal.

If you do not have an online account, ring the Universal Credit helpline instead. The phone number is on letters about your Universal Credit claim.

You can check if you are due a payment in your area by using a postcode checked on GOV.UK.

Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland. They have been replaced by the Winter Heating Payment, which is worth £59.75.