Cold Weather Payment: will they be triggered this week in UK - how to get yours as 1.5m payments made so far

• Nearly 1.5 million households in England and Wales have received £25 cold weather payments this winter
• The payments help low-income families with heating costs and are triggered when temperatures stay at or below 0°C for seven days
• Pension credit recipients qualify automatically; some on universal credit or income support may also be eligible
• Weather warnings this week for snow, rain, and strong winds could trigger further payments
• Most payments are automatic, but some households may need to check with the DWP or local authority to claim

Nearly 1.5 million households across England and Wales have already received cold weather payments this winter, the Government has confirmed.

Designed to help low-income families manage heating costs, each payment is worth £25 and is triggered when temperatures remain at or below freezing for seven consecutive days.

And with weather forecasters issuing warnings of snow and heavy rain across parts of the UK, raising the possibility that cold weather payments could be activated again soon.

What are cold weather payments?

Cold weather payments are automatic financial support provided to households struggling with the cost of heating during cold snaps.

People receiving pension credit automatically qualify, while those on other benefits, including universal credit and income support, may also be eligible if they meet specific criteria.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden described the payments as “a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.”

For pensioners, pension credit not only provides a weekly income averaging £86 but also unlocks access to other essential support, including help with housing costs and free NHS dental care.

Morgan Vine, director of policy at Independent Age, highlighted the importance of the payments, saying: “With more than half of older people on low incomes regularly worrying about heating bills, it is crucial that vital support like this reaches those who need it most.”

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Could payments be triggered this week?

Yellow weather warnings cover much of Wales, central, and southern England this Wednesday and Thursday (February 18 and 19), with snow expected in the west and strong winds accompanying heavy rain in the south.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a yellow cold health alert for large swathes of England from Tuesday evening to Friday evening (February 17 to 20).

The alert warns that vulnerable people may face higher health risks and increased use of healthcare services during this period.

While it is not yet certain that temperatures will stay at or below 0°C for the required seven days, the combination of cold spells, snow, and heavy rain means households in affected areas should stay alert for potential payments.

How to claim cold weather payments

For most eligible households, cold weather payments are automatic and do not require a separate claim.

Pensioners receiving pension credit will see payments arrive without action, while those on other qualifying benefits may need to check with their local authority or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they meet the additional criteria.

Low-income pensioners not yet on pension credit are encouraged to apply, not only to access weekly payments but also to qualify for cold weather support and other essential benefits.

With winter conditions set to continue, these payments can provide crucial help to keep homes warm and bills manageable.