Thousands of households across the UK are receiving an automatic financial boost this week as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rolls out its Cold Weather Payment scheme. Eligible recipients on six specific benefits are waking up to an extra £25 in their bank accounts to help with heating costs during the freezing spell.
Who Qualifies for the Automatic £25 Payment?
The payment is triggered automatically when the average temperature in a recipient's local area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. The scheme runs from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, with households entitled to £25 for each qualifying seven-day period of severe cold.
The DWP has confirmed that people receiving the following six benefits are eligible for the support:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
How Payments Are Made and What to Look For
The £25 payment should arrive within 14 days of the cold weather period. Crucially, you do not need to apply for the payment if you are on an eligible benefit; it is made automatically.
When checking your bank statement, look for a payment reference containing your National Insurance number followed by "DWP CWP" if you live in England or Wales, or "SSA CWP" if you are in Northern Ireland.
The DWP has also issued a warning about potential scams, stating: "If you receive a text or message about cold weather payments, do not engage with it." All genuine payments are made directly into bank accounts without any request for information.
Important Steps If You Think You've Missed a Payment
While payments are automatic, there are specific circumstances where you may need to take action. You must inform Jobcentre Plus if you receive Income Support, income-based JSA, or income-related ESA and you've had a baby or a child under five has come to live with you. Failure to do this could mean you will not automatically receive the Cold Weather Payment.
If you believe you should have received a payment but it hasn't appeared, the DWP advises the following:
- If you get Pension Credit or the other non-Universal Credit benefits, contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.
- If you are on Universal Credit, sign into your online account and add a note to your journal.
- If you don't have a Universal Credit online account, call the Universal Credit helpline (the number is on letters about your claim).
This vital support is designed to provide immediate, hassle-free assistance to vulnerable households during the coldest months of the year, ensuring they can afford to keep their homes warm.
