Cold Weather Payment for winter 2026 to 2027: £25 for each week of severe cold

The Cold Weather Payment helps vulnerable households get through spells of severe frost. According to GOV.UK, it is £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.

When is the payment triggered?

A payment is triggered when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. Each such seven-day period earns £25. If there are several cold spells in a season, the payments add up.

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Do you need to apply?

No. According to GOV.UK, the Cold Weather Payment is made automatically to those who qualify. The money goes to the same account where you receive your benefits, usually within two weeks of the cold spell.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify if you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest — for example, under certain conditions, people on Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support and some others. The exact conditions are on the GOV.UK eligibility page and depend on your situation, including whether you have children or a disability.

How does it differ from the Winter Fuel Payment?

They are different schemes. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual heating payment based on age. The Cold Weather Payment depends on the actual weather and is paid only for cold spells. One does not block the other: you can qualify for both.

What about Scotland?

The Cold Weather Payment does not apply in Scotland, which runs a separate cold-weather support scheme, so Scottish residents should check the terms of their regional programme.

Because the payment arrives by itself, many people never notice it. But if you receive the relevant benefits, it is worth checking your account after frosty weeks to confirm that the £25 for each period has actually come in.