Over 1.5 million households in England and Wales have already been granted cold weather payments this winter, as confirmed by the government. These payments of £25 are issued when the temperature in a specific postcode area drops to or is forecasted to be zero degrees Celsius or lower for seven consecutive days. The recent freezing conditions in early 2026 have led to additional payments to eligible households.
The cold weather payments were activated due to temperatures falling below zero at over 30 Met Office weather stations nationwide. The Department for Work and Pensions has disclosed that over £35 million has been distributed to vulnerable households across England and Wales this winter under the scheme running from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
Individuals receiving Pension Credit are typically eligible for Cold Weather Payments. Those on Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Support for Mortgage Interest may also qualify based on various criteria such as their employment status, health conditions, disabilities, or caregiving responsibilities for young or disabled dependents.
Residents in Scotland do not receive Cold Weather Payments but may be entitled to an annual Winter Heating Payment. Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasized the importance of such support for vulnerable households during extreme cold spells, along with other cost of living aids like a higher National Living Wage, energy bill discounts, and Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.
Encouragement has been extended to low-income pensioners to apply for Pension Credit, which offers additional assistance such as housing support, NHS dental coverage, council tax discounts, energy cost aid, and free TV licenses for those over 75. Despite this, statistics from 2023/24 reveal that a significant portion of eligible Pension Credit claimants, equivalent to one million pensioners, are missing out on benefits averaging £50 per week or £2,600 per year.
Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age, stressed the importance of Cold Weather Payments as a crucial lifeline during cold weather periods. The charity emphasized the necessity for targeted financial aid to reach older individuals on low incomes who struggle with heating costs, welcoming the government’s £35 million investment to support such individuals and expressing commitment to collaborate further for effective distribution of financial assistance.