When DWP cold weather payments are made, how much they are and who is eligible

Cold Weather Payments can provide some compensation for when temperatures drop dramatically

Cold Weather Payments will begin to be paid out throughout the current winter period.

The government-funded scheme was set up to help those most vulnerable pay for their heating when temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius. Those eligible for the payments will receive money if the average temperature in their area is recorded as or forecasted to be zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

The government confirmed that this year's scheme started on November 1, 2023 and will continue to run until March 31, 2024. That means you could receive the £35 payment across a four-month period as long as the correct weather conditions are met.

Read more: December money changes and DWP benefit payments

Read more: DWP to give £300 boost to everyone born before this date

It's important to note that this scheme only runs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland, you may instead be eligible for an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment which is issued regardless of conditions in your area. If you believe you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but didn't, make sure you speak to either the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus as they can double-check for you.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payment?

You may be considered for eligibility if you're receiving one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

You will generally automatically receive Cold Weather Payments if you are claiming Pension Credit.

Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

You may receive Cold Weather Payments if you receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and have any of the following:

• A disability or pensioner premium
• A child who is disabled
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• A child under the age of five living with you

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive income-related ESA and are in a work-related activity group or support group. However, if you're not in either of these, you may still be able to receive the payments if you have any of the following:

• A severe or enhanced disability premium
• A pensioner premium
• A child who is disabled
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• A child under the age of five living with you

How to claim a Cold Weather Payment

There's no need to send in any application to receive the Cold Weather Payment. Any period until March 31, 2024 where temperatures reach qualifying levels will result in you receiving the extra cash.

However, if you have not received the payment and believe you should have, then you should tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. In the case that you are receiving Universal Credit, the government advises you to log into your online account and add a note to your journal - otherwise, you can call the Universal Credit helpline whose number appears on letters regarding your Universal Credit claim.