DWP Cold Weather Payment scheme paid out £35m this year

The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that almost 1.5 million households across England and Wales were supported through the Cold Weather Payment scheme before it closed at the end of March.

More than £35 million was paid out during the winter, with payments automatically triggered during periods of freezing temperatures.

Why you may have been paid £25 without knowing

The payments were issued when temperatures dropped to zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days in your area.

Eligible households, including pensioners and those on low incomes, did not need to apply, as the money was paid directly into bank accounts.

Support covered those on benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Support, helping with heating costs during cold snaps.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “This support is a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.”

Check if your postcode triggered a payment

Because the scheme depended on local weather triggers, payments varied by postcode. Here are some of the areas that qualified this winter:

• North East (Albemarle area): DH, DL, NE, TS postcodes
• East of England (Andrewsfield): CB, CM, CO, RM, SG postcodes
• Yorkshire & North West (Bingley): BD, BB, HX, LS, OL, S postcodes
• North West (Carlisle): CA postcodes
• South East (Charlwood): RH, TN, BN, GU, ME postcodes
• Scotland borders (Charterhall, Eskdalemuir): TD, DG postcodes
• South Coast (Hurn): BH, DT, SP postcodes
• Midlands (Keele): ST, CW, SK postcodes
• Wales (Libanus, Lake Vyrnwy): CF, NP, LD, SY postcodes
• Norfolk & East (Marham, Tibenham): NR, PE, IP postcodes
• North East & Yorkshire (Loftus, Leeming): TS, YO, DL postcodes
• Greater Manchester (Rostherne, Rochdale): M, OL, BL, SK, WN postcodes
• London & South East (Rothamsted): AL, LU, WD, SG postcodes
• Midlands & South (Woburn, Stowe): MK, NN postcodes

If your postcode falls within one of these areas, you may have received one or more payments between November and March.

What happens now the scheme has ended

The Cold Weather Payment scheme ran from November 2025 and officially ended on March 31 2026, meaning no new payments will now be triggered until next winter.

However, households could still receive late payments if a qualifying cold spell occurred before the deadline.

Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said: “Almost 1.5 million households have already benefited from Cold Weather Payments this winter, with support reaching those who need it most.

“In addition, our biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign and our Triple Lock commitment, which will see the State Pension increase by up to £2,100 over this Parliament, are ensuring pensioners get the support they need.”

With energy bills remaining high, the payments provided crucial support during colder months.

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But because they were automatic, many people may not have noticed the extra money or realised they were eligible.

The Cold Weather Payment is just one part of wider cost of living help, including:

• £150 off energy bills
• £300 Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners
• Increased National Living Wage
• A new £1 billion support fund for households in crisis

Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age said: “Cold Weather Payments can be a lifeline during cold snaps.

“With more than half of older people on low incomes across England and Wales regularly sharing that they are worried about meeting the cost of their heating bill, it is crucial that vital support like this reaches those who need it most.

“We welcome this £35 million investment from the UK Government to support people of all ages struggling to heat their homes and look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure older people on low incomes receive the financial support they need.”