Cold Weather Payments 2026/27: Who Gets £25 and When the Scheme Applies

The winter scheme has opened

The Cold Weather Payment scheme for winter 2026/27 began on 1 November and runs until 31 March 2027. Eligible people can receive £25 for each qualifying seven-day spell of very cold weather in their area. The scheme is designed to provide extra support during prolonged cold conditions, but it is not a universal payment for everyone facing higher heating bills. Eligibility depends on benefits and other circumstances as well as local temperatures.

What triggers a payment?

The government says a payment is triggered when the average temperature in an eligible area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. That means a single frosty morning does not automatically qualify. Different postcode areas may meet the threshold at different times, so one household could receive a payment while another elsewhere does not. The payment amount is £25 per qualifying seven-day period.

Who may qualify?

People receiving certain means-tested benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest may qualify, depending on the detailed eligibility rules. Qualifying circumstances can vary by benefit and household, including whether there is a young child or particular disability-related entitlement. It is important to check the current government guidance rather than assume that receiving any benefit guarantees a payment. The official eligibility pages explain which combinations of benefits and circumstances are covered.

Do you need to apply?

Most eligible households receive Cold Weather Payments automatically, without submitting an application. Payments are normally made into the same bank or building society account used for the relevant benefit. Government guidance says they should arrive within 14 working days after a qualifying cold spell. If you believe you should have received one but have not, the appropriate route depends on your benefit: contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus, or use your Universal Credit journal where applicable.

Different rules in Scotland

Cold Weather Payments do not operate in Scotland. Residents there may instead qualify for the separate Winter Heating Payment, which is not based on a seven-day temperature trigger. Cold Weather Payments are also distinct from Winter Fuel Payments and the Warm Home Discount, so readers should not treat those names as interchangeable. To check whether a payment has been triggered in your area, use the official postcode checker linked from the government's Cold Weather Payment pages. Checking eligibility early is sensible, but a payment still depends on the relevant conditions being met.

Image: Photo by Rapha Wilde on Unsplash | Reporting and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment