The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has triggered Cold Weather Payments across 21 counties in England in response to sustained low temperatures. More than 700,000 households spanning 697 postcode areas throughout the UK are set to receive this support.
Affected English counties include Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Yorkshire, Dorset, Greater Manchester, Durham, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Shropshire.
The Cold Weather Payment is a one-time £25 benefit issued for each seven-day period when the average temperature in an area remains at or below freezing (0°C). In Northern Ireland, the payment applies to postcode areas such as BT24, BT25, BT26, BT30, BT31, BT32, BT33, and BT34.
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According to Age UK, a leading charity, Cold Weather Payments activate when the Met Office records or forecasts temperatures averaging 0°C or lower for at least seven consecutive days. Eligibility depends on residing in an affected area and receiving certain qualifying benefits.
Examples of benefits that qualify you for the payment include Pension Credit, Income Support, and Universal Credit among others. If you are eligible, payments are automatically processed within 14 working days following the cold period.
Residents can verify temperature conditions and payment eligibility by using the DWP’s postcode checker. Those who believe they should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not are advised to contact their local pension centre, Jobcentre Plus office, or the Universal Credit helpline.