The DWP has doubled the amount of money it’s given to households in several postcodes across the UK following the continuation of the cold snap hitting parts of England. The Department for Work and Pensions makes extra cash available over the winter when the temperature drops, to help those in need pay for the cost of heating their home and keeping warm.
The government handouts are distributed from November to March each year, and the payments are issued based on the weather conditions in specific postcodes. Low-income families are then given £25 when the temperature drops to 0C or lower for seven days in a row.
The DWP has now confirmed that households in 18 postcode areas have been given another £25 on top of the previous £25 they were given, as the 0C or below weather has continued for a second consecutive 7-day period, triggering another payment automatically.
If you live in one of the affected areas and qualify for the Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get another automatic £25 payment landing in your bank account in the coming days.
Payments are triggered and paid out within 14 days of the cold weather.
Those who are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment include those on the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
The DWP adds: “You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll be paid automatically.
“If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.
“After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.”
