First postcodes listed to get cold weather payments

This week, the UK saw the first snow of the winter, with the country hit by an arctic blast.

Temperatures dropped to below freezing in some parts, triggering the first cold weather payments of 2024.

The Met Office issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice. And several parts of the country experienced heavy snowfall, forcing a number of schools and businesses to close.

When it gets this cold, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues cold weather payments to help low-income or eligible households.

A cold weather payment is a one-off payment of £25 made for every seven-day period when temperatures in your area are at or below zero degrees.

Around 10,000 people across 18 postcodes should expect payment in the coming weeks.

Twelve areas are in Cumbria, four in Northumberland, and two on the English and Scottish border.

The DWP made over £130m of cold weather payments to households during the 2022/23 period.

Around two million payments were made to pensioners and another three million to working-age households.

Which postcodes qualify for November 2024’s cold snap?

• Carlisle: CA9-12, CA16-17
• Dumfries and Galloway: DG14
• Galashiels: TD9
• Lancaster: LA8-10, LA21-23
• Newcastle upon Tyne NE19, NE47-49

Who is eligible for a cold weather payment?

Anyone receiving the following benefits will receive a cold weather payment if temperatures drop to zero or below for more than seven days in a row:

• Pension credit
• Income support
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Universal credit
• Support for mortgage interest

The DWP uses a network of 72 weather stations to measure temperatures across all UK postcodes. If you disagree with its judgement, you can appeal.

Check to see if your postcode qualifies here.  

How do I claim the cold weather payment?

If you’re eligible for the payment, you will receive it automatically. It will be paid directly into your bank account within 14 working days of the cold period.