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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 14 June 2026 by the StoryShift weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
You can check if you are due a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each 7-day period of freezing weather using the official DWP postcode checker on GOV.UK. Payments are made automatically to people on qualifying benefits between 1 November and 31 March, based on local temperature data from your weather station.
What is a Cold Weather Payment?
The Cold Weather Payment is a government benefit that gives you £25 for each 7-day period when the average temperature at your local weather station is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below. The scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. You do not need to apply; payments are issued automatically after each qualifying cold spell.
Who is eligible?
You qualify for the Cold Weather Payment if you receive one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, Universal Credit (if you are not employed or self-employed), Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You must also have certain additional entitlements, such as a disability or pensioner premium, or a child under five living with you. Your eligibility is determined by your postcode and the recorded temperature at your local weather station.
How to use the Cold Weather Payment postcode checker
The fastest way to find out if a payment has been triggered in your area is to use the official DWP cold weather payment postcode checker on GOV.UK. Enter your postcode and the tool will show you the nearest weather station, whether a cold spell has been recorded, and the date any payment was triggered. You can also check past payments for the current winter. This is the same tool used by Jobcentre Plus and local councils to issue payments.
If you are unsure which benefit you receive, the checker also lists the qualifying benefits and conditions. For more detailed weather context, see our UK weather hub for live conditions in your area.
When will I get my Cold Weather Payment?
Payments are made automatically within 14 working days after a qualifying cold spell ends. You do not need to contact the DWP. If you believe a payment should have been made but has not appeared, check your postcode on the GOV.UK checker first. If it shows a payment was triggered, allow up to two weeks for it to reach your account. For those on Universal Credit, the payment will be added to your regular monthly statement. The exact date depends on when the cold spell finishes – there is no fixed calendar date for the £25 payment.
How is the Cold Weather Payment different from the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is a separate annual payment of between £100 and £300 paid to most people over State Pension age, regardless of the weather. The Cold Weather Payment is triggered only by freezing temperatures and is available to people on certain benefits of any age. You can receive both payments in the same winter if you meet the eligibility rules for each. The DWP cold weather payment checker only covers the weather-linked payment, not the Winter Fuel Payment.
What if I am on Universal Credit?
If you receive Universal Credit, you may still qualify for the Cold Weather Payment if you are not in paid work or are self-employed with zero earnings. You also need to have a limited capability for work element or a child under five. The payment is made automatically and will appear as a separate credit on your Universal Credit statement.
How do I use the cold weather payment DWP postcode checker?
Visit the GOV.UK Cold Weather Payment page and enter your full postcode. The tool will display your nearest weather station and show whether a cold spell has been recorded. It also lists the dates of any triggered payments for the current winter season (1 November to 31 March).
Do I need to claim the £25 cold weather payment?
No. Payments are automatic if you receive a qualifying benefit and your local temperature drops to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. You do not need to submit a separate claim. If you think you are eligible but have not received a payment, check your postcode on the GOV.UK tool first.
When will the £25 cold weather payment be paid after a cold spell?
The DWP aims to make the payment within 14 working days after the cold spell ends. It is credited directly to the account where you receive your benefits. For Universal Credit claimants, it appears as a separate payment on your monthly statement.
For up-to-date warnings about severe cold and snow, visit our UK Weather Warnings page. You can also check the Snow Forecast to see if your area may trigger a payment in the coming days. All information on this page is based on official DWP guidance; see our Sources & Standards page for details.