Cold Weather Payments: Who Gets Them This Winter
If you get certain benefits, you could get £25 for every week of freezing weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, paid automatically.
Cold Weather Payments help with heating costs when it gets very cold. You do not need to apply: if you qualify, the money is paid automatically.
When a Payment Is Made
A payment is made when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below for 7 days in a row. You get £25 for each 7-day period between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027. The payments do not affect your other benefits.
Who Can Get It
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you get one of these:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit, if you and any partner are not working or gainfully self-employed and one of you has limited capability for work, or you have a child under 5; or if your claim includes a disabled child amount
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, in the work-related activity group or support group (or with certain premiums, a disabled child, or a child under 5)
- Support for Mortgage Interest, with certain premiums, a disabled child or a child under 5
Check Your Area
- Check your postcode on the GOV.UK Cold Weather Payment checker (England and Wales) or the nidirect checker (Northern Ireland).
- If you have a baby or a child under 5 comes to live with you, report the change, as it may make you eligible.
- If you think a payment is missing, contact the office that pays your benefit.
Living in Scotland?
You cannot get Cold Weather Payments in Scotland. You may get the yearly Winter Heating Payment instead, which is paid whatever the weather.
- Cold Weather Payment (GOV.UK, checked 18 October 2026)
- Cold Weather Payment: eligibility (GOV.UK, checked 18 October 2026)
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