Overview
- Officials say the latest activation covers parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while Scotland operates a separate Winter Heating Payment scheme.
- The rollout follows an initial 18 postcode triggers on 30 December in Cumbria and Northumberland, with a much larger tranche confirmed on 1–2 January.
- Eligibility generally requires receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income‑based JSA, income‑related ESA, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest, with additional conditions for some claimants.
- Payments are made into the same account used for benefits and typically show the reference “DWP CWP,” with no application needed and the option to contact DWP if a payment is missing.
- The cold snap continues with Met Office snow and ice warnings and UKHSA cold‑health alerts into early January, and forecasters caution about travel disruption and risks to vulnerable people.