The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that people in 164 postcode regions in England would receive Cold Weather Payments as a result of recent low temperatures. This initiative attempts to help needy households manage heating bills during prolonged cold spells.
Initially, 116 areas were scheduled to benefit from these payments, but an additional 48 areas have since been added. Many of these areas are found in Yorkshire. The payments are made when temperatures fall below 0°C for seven days in a row, assuring assistance for those most in need during extreme cold weather.
Eligibility Criteria
Cold Weather Payments are one-time payments of £25 to qualifying households. To qualify, residents must get any of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
It’s worth noting that eligibility is limited to inhabitants of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scottish residents are not covered by this scheme.
How to Pay?
Payments are automatically paid into bank accounts within 14 days following the cold weather event. Following a cold and icy start to 2025, payments were triggered in many places this year.
More About Weather Conditions
Temperatures in Sutherland, the Highlands’ northernmost district, plunged to -14.5°C, making it the coldest night of the winter in the UK and the chilliest January night since 2010. The Met Office has predicted a shift in weather patterns, with milder temperatures coming from the southwest.
Post Code List Eligible for Payment
January 9 to 16:
- DH1, DH6, DH7, DH8, DH9, DL4, DL5, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17, NE18, NE20, NE44, NE45, NE46, TS21, TS28, TS29, DE4, DE6, DE45, S32, S33, SK13, SK17, SK22, SK23, ST8, ST9, ST10, ST11, ST13
January 10 to 17:
- NE71, TD5, TD12, TD15, LL20, LL21, LL23, SY10, SY15, SY16, SY17, SY19, SY21, SY22
January 4 to 11:
- BD23, BD24, DL8, DL11, DL12, DL13, BB4, BB8, BB9, BB10, BB11, BB12, BB18, BD1 to BD22, HD3, HD7, HD8, HD9, HX1 to HX7, LS21, LS29, OL13, OL14, S36
January 2 to 9:
- DG14, TD9, CA9, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23
Conclusion
This winter’s Cold Weather Payments are an important support mechanism for many households trying to cover the financial costs of heating amid frigid conditions. Residents should visit the official DWP website for more information on eligibility and payment dates.
