Table of Contents
If you receive certain benefits, you may be entitled to extra help from the UK Government towards any additional costs when the weather becomes extremely cold. This support is called the Cold Weather Payment.
You may get this payment automatically if the temperature in your area is at freezing levels or below for a week or more. So, you do not have to apply for this payment!
This small boost doesn’t affect any other benefits you receive, so it’s almost like a life ring during winter when the days get really cold.
What is the Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is extra financial support the UK Government gives people on specific benefits. It is to help manage higher energy bills during freezing weather. You can get this if the temperature in your area is below zero degrees Celsius on average for seven days running.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme is set to run from 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025. If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you can qualify for this fixed amount payment.
Who Qualifies for the Cold Weather Payment?
You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
If you receive Pension Credit, you will generally automatically qualify for Cold Weather Payments.
Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and either:
- You have a disability or pension premium.
- You live with a child who has a disability.
- You receive a Child Tax Credit that includes an element for disability or severe disability.
- You have a child under five living with you.
Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
If you receive Income-related ESA, you usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you are in the work-related activity group or the support group. If you are in neither of these groups, you may still get Cold Weather Payments if you have:
- A severe or enhanced disability premium.
- A pensioner premium.
- A disabled child.
- Child Tax Credit, which is paid with a disability or severe disability element.
- A child under five living with you.
Universal Credit
Cold Weather Payments are also available to people on Universal Credit if none of the adults on the claim are employed or self-employed and at least one of the following conditions applies:
- You have a health condition or disability and limited capability for work.
- You live with a child under five.
- You’ll also qualify if your claim includes a disabled child amount, whether you’re working or not.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
If you receive Support for Mortgage Interest, you will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you receive a qualifying benefit and one of the following applies:
- You have a severe or enhanced disability premium.
- You receive a pensioner premium.
- You have a disabled child.
- You have a child under five living with you.
- You get a Child Tax Credit awarded with a disability or severe disability element.
How Much is the Cold Weather Payment?
Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each period of seven consecutive days of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Important: Cold Weather Payments do not affect any of your other benefits.
When Will the Cold Weather Payment be Made?
You should get your Cold Weather Payment within 14 working days after each period of cold weather in your area. It will be paid into the same bank account where your benefit is usually paid, so you won’t need to take any extra action.
How to Claim the Cold Weather Payments?
You don’t need to make a claim for Cold Weather Payments. If you’re eligible, this payment will be made automatically to you, depending on weather conditions and whether you get certain benefits.
If You Live in Scotland
You can’t receive Cold Weather Payments if you live in Scotland. However, you may get a Winter Heating Payment each year. This is an annual payment, regardless of weather conditions where you live.
If You Have a Baby or a Child Under 5 Comes to Live With You
If you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), contact Jobcentre Plus if:
- You’ve just had a baby
- A child under five has come to live with you
It is an important update so that you may automatically get Cold Weather Payments. If you do not report these changes, you may miss the payment.
If you already get Universal Credit, to add a new child, do the following:
- Log in to your account using Universal Credit.
- Record a change of circumstances to add the baby or child under five.
- Make a note of this update in your journal.
If you do not have an online account, you need to call the Universal Credit helpline to report the change. You can find the number on any of the letters about your Universal Credit claim.
Hospital Stays
If you are admitted to the hospital, contact The Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. This could affect your entitlement to Cold Weather Payment. If you receive Universal Credit, log in to your account and add a note to your journal.
If you do not have an online account, you can call the helpline.
If You Do Not Receive Your Cold Weather Payment
If you believe that you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not, contact an adviser for support:
- Northern Ireland Pension Centre or your local Jobs and Benefits office.
- You can log into your account, add a note to your journal, or call the helpline if you get Universal Credit. You can find their phone number on your claim letters.
For other benefits, call:
- The Pension Service
- Jobcentre Plus
The Bottom Line
The Cold Weather Payment offers important support for eligible people during extremely cold weather. It’s an automatic benefit payment to help with the added heating cost of your home when the temperature falls extremely low. In this way, by being entitled to Cold Weather Payments, you are able to keep your home warm without thinking about extra energy costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are two different payments; if you are eligible, you will get both the Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment.
Yes, Cold Weather Payments are issued automatically. You will be paid automatically if you are eligible for the payment.
