Households are set to receive a £25 payment towards their heating bills as Cold Weather Payments for 2025 are issued.
As a bitter Arctic freeze engulfs Britain, with some communities bracing for heavy snow and -20C temperatures, payments have been triggered in a total of 51 postcode areas.
If the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days and you claim particular benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), you will get a payment.
If eligible you will get the payment automatically and will not need to apply.
There are an estimated 3.9 million people and 100,000 households eligible for Cold Weather Payments.
The payments are being issued to those who live in particular areas in West Yorkshire, East Lancashire, North Yorkshire and County Durham.
Here’s everything you could be eligible to claim – subject to where you’re based in the UK:
Between November 1 2023 and March 31 2025, you’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather.
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, such as:
You should also tell Jobcentre Plus, if you have a baby, or if a child under five comes to live with you.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you cannot get Cold Weather Payments. However, in Scotland you might get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.
It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.
You can find out more about eligibility on the government’s website.
Full list of postcodes:
More information about the Cold Weather Payments can be found on the government’s website.