Cold Weather Payment 2026: Payments Start on 1 November

Cold Weather Payments return for winter 2026/27 from 1st November 2026. The scheme covers eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and provides £25 for each qualifying seven-day period of very cold weather.

What are Cold Weather Payments?

Cold Weather Payments are extra payments for people who receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. They are designed to provide additional help with heating costs during periods of very cold weather.

When do Cold Weather Payments start?

The 2026/27 Cold Weather Payment scheme starts on 1st November 2026 and runs until 31st March 2027.

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

Eligible people receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather during the scheme period.

What temperature triggers a payment?

A Cold Weather Payment is triggered when the average temperature in the relevant area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

The trigger is based on the weather conditions for the area covered by the payment system. You do not need to wait for seven days yourself or make an application when a trigger occurs.

Who can get a Cold Weather Payment?

You may qualify if you receive one of the benefits covered by the scheme. These include:

• Pension Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

The detailed eligibility rules vary between benefits. Receiving Universal Credit, for example, does not by itself mean that you will automatically qualify. Additional conditions can apply depending on your employment status, health or disability, and whether you have a child under 5 or a disabled child.

If you receive Pension Credit, you will usually qualify for Cold Weather Payments. There are also specific conditions for people receiving income-related ESA or Support for Mortgage Interest.

Do I have to apply?

No. If you are eligible, Cold Weather Payments are normally made automatically. You do not need to apply for each payment.

You may need to report a change in circumstances if, for example, you have a baby or a child under 5 comes to live with you and you receive Universal Credit or income-related ESA.

When will the money arrive?

After a qualifying period of very cold weather, you should normally receive your payment within 14 working days.

The money is paid into the same bank or building society account as your relevant benefit payment.

What if I do not receive a payment?

If you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not, the route for checking it depends on the benefit you receive.

If you receive Universal Credit, you can add a note to your Universal Credit journal. If you do not have an online account, you can contact the Universal Credit helpline using the number provided in your claim correspondence.

If you receive other qualifying benefits, GOV.UK advises contacting the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus as appropriate.

What about Scotland?

Cold Weather Payments do not apply in Scotland.

People living in Scotland may instead qualify for Winter Heating Payment, which works differently. It is an annual payment and does not depend on a period of very cold weather.

Do not assume that the Scottish payment follows the same rules as Cold Weather Payments. The two schemes have different eligibility and payment arrangements.

Cold Weather Payment vs Winter Fuel Payment

These are different schemes.

A Cold Weather Payment is linked to periods of very cold weather and certain qualifying benefits. Winter Fuel Payment is a separate payment for eligible people of State Pension age. The rules, amounts and arrangements are different.

What you need to do

If you are already receiving a qualifying benefit and meet the Cold Weather Payment rules, you normally do not need to do anything when a qualifying period occurs. The payment should be made automatically.

It is worth keeping your benefit and household circumstances up to date, particularly if you have a baby or a child under 5 comes to live with you.

Information checked

This article was checked against current official guidance from:

• GOV.UK Cold Weather Payment overview and eligibility guidance
• GOV.UK guidance on when Cold Weather Payments are paid and what to do if a payment is missing
• nidirect Cold Weather Payment guidance for Northern Ireland
• mygov.scot guidance on Winter Heating Payment

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the Cold Weather Payment scheme based on official guidance available when it was checked. Individual eligibility depends on your circumstances and the rules applying to your benefit. If you are unsure whether you should receive a payment, check the relevant official guidance or contact the service responsible for your benefit.