An automatic top-up payment paid to eligible households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland when the local average temperature drops to 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days.
Pensioners & Heating
£25 per 7-day period of freezing weather (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Tick off each condition below. You'll usually need to meet all of them to qualify.
Payments are made automatically into your bank account — no separate claim form is required.
Check if your area has triggered a payment using the GOV.UK Cold Weather Payment postcode checker.
If you believe you qualified but did not receive payment, contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Service.
Cold Weather Payments do not reduce other benefits. Residents in cold weather periods can also access local council Household Support Fund heating top-ups and emergency fuel vouchers.
A tax-free, means-tested benefit that tops up weekly income for state pension age residents and unlocks multiple extra cost-of-living perks.
View guide Pensioners & HeatingAn annual tax-free winter heating payment for eligible pension-age residents receiving qualifying income-related support.
View guide Low Income & HeatingA annual £150 credit added directly to your electricity or gas bill between October and March for low-income households and pensioners.
View guide