Overview
- The DWP said on X that eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be paid automatically in December if a qualifying cold snap occurs.
- The scheme pays £25 for each seven consecutive days when the average temperature in an area is recorded or forecast at 0°C or below.
- Eligibility includes recipients of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income‑related Employment and Support Allowance, and Support for Mortgage Interest.
- No application is required, but those on Income Support, income‑based JSA or income‑related ESA should notify Jobcentre Plus about a new baby or a child under five joining the household.
- The Cold Weather Payments season runs from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, while Scotland uses a separate Winter Heating Payment that is not tied to local weather.