The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the schedule for Cold Weather Payments, with the scheme opening on 1 November 2026 and running until 31 March 2027. Under the rules, eligible low-income households receive £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below.
Recent days have seen a noticeable chill in the air, prompting some households to switch on heating for the first time this autumn. However, payments are not triggered by a single cold day; they require a sustained spell of very cold weather. According to the Government, payments are usually issued at some point most winters, but it is unlikely that the current cold snap will meet the threshold.
Who qualifies for Cold Weather Payments
Households qualify for the payment if they receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Support for Mortgage Interest. The payments are designed to help with extra heating costs during periods of severe cold.
The Government states: "You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to report a change in circumstances if you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you."
How the payment is triggered and paid
Payments are issued automatically to those who qualify, with no application required. The Government confirms: "The payments do not affect your other benefits. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days."
For each qualifying seven-day period between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, eligible households will receive £25. The payment is made automatically, so recipients do not need to contact the DWP, but they should report changes in circumstances such as a new baby or a child under five moving into the household.
The announcement comes as part of the DWP's wider winter support measures, which also include the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payments. Households on eligible benefits are advised to check their bank accounts regularly during the winter months, as payments will be made directly once the temperature threshold is met.
