Cold Weather Payments triggered in UK snow – check if you’re eligible

The first cold weather payments of 2024 have been triggered as snow blankets neighbourhoods across the UK and temperatures plunge.

Up to 15cm of snow is expected to fall in some parts of the country as the Met Office issues several yellow weather alerts for snow and ice.

To help support people during cold snaps like these, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) runs the cold weather payment scheme for qualifying households.

This is a one-off payment of £25 that is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in your area is at or below zero degrees.

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An estimated 10,000 people across 18 postcode areas can now expect the payment in the coming weeks. Of these, 12 areas are in Cumbria, four in Northumberland, and two crossing between the Scottish and English border.

Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme:

Am I eligible for a cold weather payment?

You are eligible for the payment if you receive any of the following:

You must also live in an area that has experienced seven days of zero or sub-zero temperatures. If you want to check if your postcode is in a qualifying area, the government has a handy tool.

The DWP uses their own equipment to measure temperatures across all UK postcodes. If you disagree with their judgement, it is possible to appeal directly to the department.

You do not qualify for this scheme if you live in Scotland, as the Scottish government has has recently replaced the scheme with Winter Heating Payments.

When will I get the payment?

If you’re eligible, you will get these payments automatically. They should arrive in the same bank account you receive benefit payments, within 14 working days of the cold period.

If you believe you are eligible but have not received the payments, you should contact the DWP.

Full list of postcodes eligible for cold weather payment

Here’s all the postcode areas that can expect a cold weather payment in 2024 so far: