Cold Weather Payments triggered in UK snow – check if you’re eligible

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The initial cold weather payments for 2024 have been activated due to snow covering communities throughout the UK and temperatures dropping significantly.

Some regions of the country are predicted to receive up to 15cm of snowfall, prompting the Met Office to issue multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice.

To assist individuals during chilly periods like this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) operates a cold weather payment program for eligible households.

You will make a single payment of £25 for each week when the temperature in your location is at or falls below freezing.

Around 10,000 individuals from 18 different postal regions are set to receive the payment in the next few weeks. Among these, 12 regions are located in Cumbria, four in Northumberland, and two that straddle the border between Scotland and England.

Here’s all the essential information you should understand about the program:

"Am I Qualified For A Cold Weather Payment?"

You qualify for the payment if you get one of these:

You need to be located in a region that has had at least seven consecutive days with temperatures at or below freezing. If you’d like to find out whether your postcode falls within an eligible area, the government provides a useful online tool for this purpose.

The DWP utilizes its own tools to monitor temperatures in every postcode throughout the UK. If you don't agree with their assessment, you can directly challenge their decision by appealing to the department.

If you reside in Scotland, you won't be eligible for this program, as the Scottish government has recently introduced Winter Heating Payments to take its place.

When Will I Receive My Payment?

If you qualify, these payments will be sent to you automatically. You can expect them to be deposited into the same bank account where you receive your benefits, typically within 14 business days after the cold period.

If you think you qualify but haven't gotten your payments, it's a good idea to reach out to the DWP.

Complete List Of Postcodes For Cold Weather Payment

Here are all the postcode regions that are anticipated to receive a cold weather payment in 2024 to date: