The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated its Cold Weather Payment scheme for hundreds of postcodes across the UK, with some households set to receive a double payout of £50. The support is triggered when local temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
Which Postcodes Have Been Triggered?
So far this winter, payments have been triggered on five separate occasions. A significant development is that 18 postcode districts have qualified for the payment twice, meaning eligible residents there will receive a total of £50 instead of the standard £25. These areas, triggered on both December 30 and January 6, are: CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, DG14, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49, and TD9.
Full Breakdown of Trigger Dates and Areas
The scheme, which runs annually from November 1 to March 31, has seen a rolling activation of support as cold snaps have hit different regions. The first major trigger occurred on December 30, covering the 18 postcode districts listed above, primarily in Cumbria, Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders.
This was followed by a much wider trigger on January 1, encompassing postcodes across England, including areas in the East of England, the South East, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire. Notable inclusions were parts of Hertfordshire (AL postcodes), Lancashire (BB), Bradford (BD), and Ipswich (IP).
On January 2, another extensive list was activated, covering large swathes of the East Midlands, Eastern England, and Wales. Postcodes in Cambridge (CB), Milton Keynes (MK), Norwich (NR), and numerous Welsh CF codes were added.
January 3 saw triggers for a smaller group of postcodes in Wales (LL20, LL21, LL23) and Shropshire (SY codes). Finally, on January 6, the original 18 postcode districts from December 30 were triggered again, securing their second payment.
How the Cold Weather Payment Scheme Works
The DWP's Cold Weather Payment is a vital benefit for those on low incomes. The payment is automatically issued to eligible households within the affected postcodes. Those who qualify typically receive certain means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit.
The core rule is straightforward: when the average temperature at a designated local weather station is forecast or recorded to be 0°C or lower for seven days in a row, a £25 payment is made for each seven-day period of cold weather. The scheme is designed to help with the extra heating costs incurred during particularly harsh winter spells.
With five trigger dates already this season, the DWP is providing crucial financial support to vulnerable residents battling the winter freeze. Households do not need to apply; the payment should arrive automatically in the same bank account used for their benefit payments.
Residents in the listed postcodes who believe they are eligible but have not received a payment are advised to contact the DWP or the Pension Service. As winter continues, further triggers are possible if prolonged cold weather returns.
