You do not need to apply, and the payments do not affect your other benefits. Report a change if you have a baby or a child under 5 comes to live with you, because that can make you eligible.
Quick facts
- Amount
- £25 per 7-day cold spell
- Season
- 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Mar 2027
- Trigger
- 0°C or below for 7 days
- Apply?
- No, automatic
- Affects benefits?
- No
How it works
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to report a change in circumstances if you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you.
Who can get it — the full rules
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:
- Pension Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Pension Credit.
If you get Universal Credit
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get Universal Credit and:
- you are not employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’
- your partner is not employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’ (if you have a partner)
One of the following must also apply:
- you or your partner have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity)
- you have a child under 5 living with you
You’ll also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim. It does not matter whether you or your partner are employed, self-employed or not working.
If you get income-related ESA
You’ll usually get Cold Weather Payments if you get income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group. If you’re not in either group, you might also get Cold Weather Payments if you have any of the following:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child who is disabled
- a child under 5 living with you
Different from the Winter Fuel Payment
Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments. See the Winter Fuel Payment. If you live in Scotland, you cannot get Cold Weather Payments.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland pays Cold Weather Payments too: see Cold Weather Payment in Northern Ireland.
Common questions
How much is the Cold Weather Payment?
£25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.
Do I need to apply?
No. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically.
Who gets it?
Usually people on Pension Credit. On Universal Credit, usually only if you and any partner are not working and you have limited capability for work or a child under 5, or if your claim has a disabled child amount.
Is it the same as the Winter Fuel Payment?
No. Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments.