The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has activated its Cold Weather Payment scheme across a significant portion of the United Kingdom, with financial support now reaching residents in 697 different postcode areas. The initiative, designed to assist vulnerable households with heating costs during freezing conditions, has already seen over one million people receive a £50 payment this winter.
How the Cold Weather Payment Scheme Works
This government grant provides automatic financial aid to older individuals and those receiving specific benefits in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The payment is triggered when the average temperature in a person's local area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.
For each qualifying seven-day period of sub-zero temperatures, eligible individuals receive £25. The money is paid directly into their bank account within 14 working days, with no need to apply. The scheme notably benefits recipients of Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Support for Mortgage Interest.
Double Payments for the Coldest Areas
An important development this season is that some residents are receiving double the standard amount. As of Tuesday, 6 January, at least 18 postcodes have qualified for payments twice, resulting in a total of £50 being issued to those eligible. This occurs when the same area experiences two separate qualifying cold spells.
The postcodes that triggered a second payment on 6 January, having previously qualified on 30 December, are primarily in northern England and Scotland. They include: CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, DG14, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49, and TD9.
Full List of Triggered Postcodes
The DWP has issued payments in multiple waves corresponding to prolonged cold snaps. The first major trigger occurred on 30 December, followed by further activations on 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 January.
Key activated areas include:
- 1 January: Widespread postcodes across regions including Hertfordshire (AL), Lancashire (BB, BD), Suffolk (IP), Oxfordshire (OX), and Surrey (RH).
- 2 January: Extensive coverage in areas such as Cambridgeshire (CB), County Durham (DH, DL), Milton Keynes (MK), Norfolk (NR), and parts of Wales (CF, NP).
- 3 January: Several postcodes in Wales (LL) and Shropshire (SY).
- 7 January: A large batch including Carlisle (CA), Bournemouth (BH), Stoke-on-Trent (ST), Manchester (M), and Belfast (BT).
This rolling activation highlights the widespread and severe cold weather affecting the UK in early 2026, with support reaching from the Scottish borders to the South Coast and across to Northern Ireland.
The scheme remains a critical component of the UK's welfare safety net during the winter months, offering direct and timely support to those most at risk from the health and financial impacts of extreme cold. Residents are advised to check the official government website or contact the DWP if they believe they are eligible but have not received a payment.
