DWP profit claimants could get further money throughout winter – test when you qualify
The payments go out during periods of freezing weather conditions
Many households across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could be set for a welcome financial boost as winter weather hits the UK. The £25 payments are triggered when temperatures are recorded or forecast to be zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days, subject to certain eligibility criteria.
You could get multiple payments of £25 if there are several cold spells during the winter months. These cash boosts, known as Cold Weather Payments, are issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people receiving specific benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.
Most people will automatically get the £25 payment into their account, for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. After each cold spell, the payment is usually made within 14 working days and deposited into the same bank account or building society as your other benefits.
Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you’re receiving:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest.
While Cold Weather Payments aren’t restricted to specific bills, they’re designed to help with any costs associated with keeping you and your home warm. They could be particularly helpful in covering heating bills, as many people are currently facing higher energy bills this winter following a 2 per cent rise in Ofgem’s price cap.
This rise, which came into force on October 1, means that a typical household using electricity and gas and paying by direct debit now faces bills of around £1,755 per year. The price cap is also scheduled to rise by 0.2 per cent from January 1 to March 31, 2026.
‘You will get the payments automatically’
Official guidance from the UK Government website states: “You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically.
“You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under five comes to live with you. The payments do not affect your other benefits.”
Nevertheless, your eligibility will largely hinge on your individual circumstances. For instance, if you are receiving Universal Credit, neither you nor your partner should be in employment or ‘gainfully self-employed’ to qualify for the payment.
To check your eligibility, residents in England and Wales should consult the GOV.UK website. Those in Northern Ireland can check the NI Direct website for additional details.
The Government website adds: “Tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have got a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. If you’re getting Universal Credit, sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.
“If you do not have an online account, ring the Universal Credit helpline instead. The phone number is on letters about your Universal Credit claim.”
For those in Scotland, Cold Weather Payments are no longer available. However, benefit claimants there can get an annual Winter Heating Payment may be provided instead.
This is a one-off payment regardless of the weather, and is worth £59.75 this year. The payments will be going out from December 2025. More information about this is available on MyGov.Scot.
