Cold Weather Payments have been sent to people in 26 postcodes so far this winter, with some households receiving two amounts of £25. A total of 10,000 people in England will be getting £50 in their account to help with heating bills and you can check your postcode with our interactive map below.
As temperatures dip below freezing across the country, people will be looking out for updates on the DWP payments that help people keep their homes warm during bitterly cold weather. During the winter of 2024/2025, double payments amounting to £50 have been made in 18 postcode areas, with the most recent payments triggered on 2nd January.
The DWP authorises a Cold Weather Payment when the average temperature is forecast to stay below zero for seven consecutive days in a particular area. The cash sums are sent to people in receipt of certain benefits, depending on eligibility.
The first £25 payments were triggered in November and the second £25 payment was triggered on January 2.
The full list of payments so far this winter is as follows:
£25 payments triggered on November 17, 2024 and January 2, 2025:
CA10 Cliburn, CumbriaCA11 Catterlen, CumbriaCA12 Keswick, CumbriaCA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, CumbriaCA17 Kirkby Stephen, CumbriaLA8 Kendal, CumbriaLA9 Kendal, CumbriaLA10 Sedbergh, CumbriaLA21 Coniston, CumbriaLA22 Lakes, CumbriaLA23 Windermere, CumbriaTD9 Scottish Borders (parts in England)DG14 Dumfries border (parts in England)
£25 payments triggered on November 18, 2024 and January 2, 2025:
CA9 Leadgate, CumbriaNE19 Elsdon, NorthumberlandNE47 Allendale, NorthumberlandNE48 Bellingham, NorthumberlandNE49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland
Eight further postcode areas in Northern Ireland have also received a single £25 Cold Weather Payment under a similar separate scheme operated by the Northern Ireland Executive, not the DWP. The payments there were triggered on the 4th of January and covered these postcode areas:
BT24 BallynahinchBT25 DromoreBT26 HillsboroughBT30 DownpatrickBT31 CastlewellanBT32 BanbridgeBT33 Newcastle, Co DownBT34 Newry, South Down
Despite temperatures dipping below freezing across the country in recent days, no new Cold Weather Payments have been triggered this week. The DWP scheme runs every winter until March 31 to help people in England and Wales who receive low-income benefits. In Scotland, support for heating bills is paid every winter and not linked to specific spells of cold weather.
An estimated 3.9 million people are eligible for Cold Weather Payments under the DWP scheme, and of these, 1.2 million are in receipt of Pension Credit. Last year, 364,000 payments were made across England and Wales at a total cost of £9.1 million. In some areas of Cumbria, the Cold Weather Payments were triggered three times during separate spells of freezing weather last winter, meaning eligible recipients were paid £75 in total.
More payments could yet be issued. Fresh weather warnings have been issued as the UK continues to be hit by icy weather. Yellow weather warnings for ice are in place for large parts of the UK on Thursday (January 9) and Friday (January 10), as freezing temperatures led to travel disruption and school closures.
The majority of Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as large parts of the east of England, are covered from 4pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday. A separate warning covering south and west Wales down to Plymouth from 3am to 11am tomorrow is also in place.
The Met Office has warned to expect icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, as well as scattered wintry showers. A yellow warning for snow and ice in Scotland, which was due to end at midnight, has been extended until 10am on Friday.
Snow and winds have brought travel disruption, with rail lines forced to close. A fault with the signalling system is causing major disruption between Crewe and Wilmslow, affecting Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern and Transport for Wales services. Great Western Railway said flooding means the line between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall is closed.
The Met Office has said Wednesday night’s coldest temperature was recorded at Shap in Cumbria at minus 11.2C. Temperatures had been forecast to plummet as low as minus 16C and this area has already had two Cold Weather Payments.
A Met Office spokeswoman told the PA news agency they are “expecting tonight to be another very cold night.” Temperatures are expected to turn less cold from the North West over the weekend.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted. Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
“Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,” said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson. “Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
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