Cold Weather Payment

You may be able to get Cold Weather Payment if you're claiming specific benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest to help with heating costs during periods of very cold weather. Find out what Cold Weather Payment is, who can get it and when it will be paid.

What is a Cold Weather Payment?

A Cold Weather Payment is money given by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with heating costs during periods of very cold weather.

If the average temperature in your area is recorded as or is forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days, between the 1st of November and 31st of March, you may be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment.

Who gets Cold Weather Payment?

You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if you currently receive the following benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest:

• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit

Can you get a Cold Weather Payment on Universal Credit?

You should get a Cold Weather Payment if you currently claim Universal Credit and are not employed or self-employed, and one of the following applies to you:

• You have a health condition or disability and classed as having limited capability for work. This includes if you have limited capability for work-related activity.
• You have a child under the age of five who is living with you.

If you claim Universal Credit and get a disabled child element, you will be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment whether or not you're employed.

Can you get a Cold Weather Payment on ESA?

You should get a Cold Weather Payment if you currently receive Income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group.

If you are not currently in either of the groups, you may receive a Cold Weather Payment if any of the following applies to you:

• You receive a pensioner premium.
• You receive Child Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element.
• You receive a severe or enhanced disability premium.
• You have a child who is disabled.
• A child under the age of five is living with you.

Can you get a Cold Weather Payment on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance?

You should get a Cold Weather Payment if you currently get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and any of the following apply to you:

• You receive a pensioner premium.
• You receive Child Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element.
• You have a child who is disabled.
• A child under the age of five is living with you.

Can you get a Cold Weather Payment on Pension Credit?

If you currently get Pension Credit, you will usually get a Cold Weather Payment.

Can you get a Cold Weather Payment on Support for Mortgage Interest?

If you currently get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI), you will usually get a Cold Weather Payment.

Apply for Cold Weather Payments

You do not need to apply for a Cold Weather Payment. It will be paid to you automatically if you are eligible.

What if I have had a change of circumstances

You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if your circumstances have changed recently.

You should inform Jobcentre Plus if you currently get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related ESA and either:

• You've had a baby.
• A child under five has come to live with you.

If you don't tell Jobcentre Plus about these new circumstances, you will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you weren't eligible before.

Cold Weather Payment checker

To see if you can expect to receive a payment you can use the DWP Cold Weather Payment checker. Click the link and enter the first half of your postcode.

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

You will receive a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather - zero degrees celsius or below - in your area between the 1st of November and 31st of March.

When will I get my Cold Weather Payment?

If you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you should receive it within 14 working days of the period of very cold weather.

The payment will be paid automatically into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.

What to do If you haven't received your Cold Weather Payment

If it has been more than 14 working days and you haven't received a Cold Weather Payment you need to tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.

If you claim Universal Credit, you can sign in to your online account and add a note to your journal. If you don't have an online account, you will need to call the Universal Credit helpline instead.

Cold weather and mental health

Winter weather and extremely cold temperatures can impact your mental health and wellbeing.

The Government's paper titled Health matters: cold weather and COVID-19 found that cold temperatures can create poor mental health in the following ways:

• Reduced contact with loved ones
• Staying at home to try and keep warm
• Getting into debt due to fuel bills
• Becoming socially isolated.

If you are feeling the impact of the cold weather on your mental health, there are things you can do to try and improve your wellbeing. This might include:

• Connecting with family and friends.
• Taking part in a hobby you enjoy.
• Trying to be more physically active.

You can also visit the Mental Health UK website which has lots of information and ways you can improve your wellbeing.

Other ways to save money on energy bills

If you don't qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, there may be other ways you can get help for higher winter bills during cold weather such as:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme.
• Winter Fuel Payments.