Cold weather payment: get £25 for cold spells

The Cold Weather Payment (CWP) provides £25 to eligible residents for each severe cold spell, helping to ease financial worries about heating bills1. This government scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March, offering crucial support when temperatures drop. Understanding how it works, who qualifies, and what to do if you do not receive a payment can help you manage your energy costs this winter.

Keeping your home warm during colder months is essential, and understanding available support like the CWP can make a real difference. Fuse Energy aims to make managing your energy straightforward, with clear pricing and tools to help you understand your usage. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.

What is the cold weather payment?

The CWP is a UK government scheme designed to provide financial assistance to individuals on specific benefits during periods of exceptionally cold weather. It is a one-off payment of £25 for each qualifying cold spell.

A lifeline during winter

This payment acts as a crucial lifeline, especially for vulnerable households, by offering extra money to help cover increased heating costs when temperatures plummet. It aims to alleviate some of the financial pressure that severe winter weather can bring.

How it helps with energy bills

The £25 payment is intended to help with the additional expense of keeping your home warm during freezing conditions. It is paid directly into the same bank or building society account where you receive your other benefits, and it does not affect your other benefit entitlements.

Who is eligible for the cold weather payment?

Eligibility for the CWP is tied to receiving specific means-tested benefits and meeting certain conditions. The scheme applies to eligible people living in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland, you will receive the Winter Heating Payment instead.

Qualifying benefits explained

You may be eligible for a CWP if you are receiving one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

For Income Support, income-based JSA, or income-related ESA, you usually need to have a disability or pensioner premium, a disabled child, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability element, or a child under 5 living with you. If you receive SMI, you will usually qualify if you are treated as getting a qualifying benefit and have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child, or a child under 5 living with you.

Specific conditions for universal credit

If you receive Universal Credit, you will usually qualify for a CWP if you and your partner (if you have one) are not employed or 'gainfully Self-employed'. Additionally, one of the following must apply:

• You or your partner have a health condition or disability that gives you limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity).
• You have a child under 5 living with you.
• You have a disabled child amount in your claim, regardless of whether you are employed or not.

When you are not eligible

You will not receive a CWP if you live in Scotland, as a different scheme (the Winter Heating Payment) operates there. You are also typically not eligible if you are in residential care and receiving certain benefits.

How and when payments are triggered

The CWP is not based on how cold you feel, but on official temperature readings in your local area.

The 7-day cold spell rule

A qualifying cold spell occurs when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C (zero degrees Celsius) or below for seven consecutive days. Each residential postcode area is linked to one of 71 weather stations across England and Wales that measure daily average temperatures.

Checking if your area qualifies

You can check if a CWP has been triggered in your area by using the official government postcode checker tool on GOV.UK. Simply enter your postcode to see if your area has qualified for a payment.

Payment dates and timing

CWPs are made between 1 November and 31 March each year. If your area experiences a qualifying cold spell, the payment is usually made automatically within 14 working days of the cold period ending.

Receiving your cold weather payment

For most eligible individuals, the process of receiving a CWP is straightforward and automatic.

Automatic payments to your bank

You do not need to apply for CWPs. If you are eligible, the payments are automatically sent to the same bank or building society account where you receive your other benefit payments.

What to expect from the DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administers the scheme. You will receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather that triggers a payment in your area. These payments do not affect your other benefits.

What to do if you do not receive a payment

If you believe you are eligible for a CWP but have not received it, there are steps you can take.

Checking your eligibility again

First, use the official government postcode checker to confirm that a CWP was indeed triggered in your area during the period you expect. Double-check that you meet all the eligibility criteria for your specific benefit.

Contacting the DWP or pension service

If you still think you should have received a payment, you need to contact the relevant department:

• If you receive pension credit: Contact the Pension Service helpline. The number is 0800 731 0469.
• If you receive universal credit: Sign into your online account and add a note to your journal. If you do not have an online account, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
• If you receive other qualifying benefits: Contact Jobcentre Plus. Their contact details will be on any letters you have received from them.

Common reasons for missing payments

Sometimes, a payment might be missed due to a change in circumstances not being reported. For example, if you receive Universal Credit or income-related ESA, you need to tell the DWP if you have had a baby or if a child under 5 has come to live with you.

Other government heating support schemes

The CWP is one of several government schemes designed to help with heating costs. It is important not to confuse it with other forms of support.

Cold weather payment vs Winter Fuel Payment

The CWP is distinct from the Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, one-off payment of between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs, typically for people of State Pension age. Crucially, it is not dependent on local temperatures dropping below a certain point. For winter 2026 to 2027, you are eligible if born before 28 June 1960. Standard household amounts are £200 (for those under 80) or £300 (for those aged 80 or over) in England and Wales. If your total taxable income is over £35,000 a year, HMRC will recover the full amount via your tax code or Self Assessment.

Warm Home Discount explained

The Warm Home Discount scheme provides a £150 discount off your electricity bill, or £150 added to your prepayment meter. This scheme usually opens in October and runs through to March. For winter 2026 to 2027, the scheme opens again in October 2026, with payment by 31 March 2027. Eligibility typically depends on receiving certain means-tested benefits or being on a low income, and payments are usually automatic.

Additional help for energy debt

If you are struggling with energy debt, several energy suppliers run hardship grant funds for their own customers. The British Gas Energy Trust also offers grants that are open to anyone, not just British Gas customers, and typically requires debt advice before applying. Help is also available for energy-saving home improvements.

Managing your energy bills can be challenging, but understanding the support available can make a big difference. Fuse Energy is committed to providing clear, simple energy solutions. Our app offers real-time usage data, and our 24/7 human support team is always ready to help. Switching to Fuse is quick and easy. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and take control of your energy. You can also learn more about our mission here.