The recent icy blast from Storm Goretti has led to a significant expansion of the government's Cold Weather Payment scheme, with support now activated for hundreds of thousands of households across Britain.
As of the latest trigger on January 9, a total of 802 postcode districts have qualified for the payments, which are designed to help vulnerable residents with extra heating costs during prolonged periods of freezing weather.
How the Cold Weather Payment Scheme Works
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) automatically issues a £25 payment for each qualifying seven-day period where the average local temperature is recorded at zero degrees Celsius or below. This means that if an area experiences several spells of cold weather, residents can receive multiple payments. Many households have already received two instalments this winter, totalling £50.
Eligibility is linked to the receipt of certain means-tested benefits. You may qualify if you receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
- Universal Credit (under specific conditions related to employment status, health, or having a child under five)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (with specific premiums or if you have a young or disabled child)
Payments should arrive automatically in your bank account within 14 working days of the cold weather period. The scheme runs until March 31, 2026. It is important to note that this support is not available in Scotland, where it has been replaced by the annual Winter Heating Payment of £59.75.
Full List of Triggered Postcode Areas
The DWP has activated payments in waves corresponding to specific cold snaps this winter. The first triggers occurred on December 30, affecting areas including CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, DG14, and several LA, NE, and TD postcodes.
A major expansion followed on January 1, adding 74 new postcode areas. This wave included large swathes of the East of England, the Midlands, and the Home Counties, such as AL, CO, IP, HP, and RH districts.
Further triggers were recorded on January 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The most recent update on January 9 saw eligibility extended to numerous postcodes in North East England, including NE1 through NE70, SR1-SR6, and several DL, DH, TS, and YO codes.
Government Response and Further Support
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell commented on the scheme's activation, stating: “As temperatures plunge, Cold Weather Payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households.” He linked this support to wider government measures, including the Triple Lock for state pensions.
Residents who believe they are eligible but do not receive a payment are advised to contact the Pension Service or their Jobcentre Plus office. You must also notify the DWP if your circumstances change, such as if a baby is born or a child under five comes to live with you, as this could affect your entitlement.
With winter set to continue, more postcode areas could be added to the list if the mercury drops sufficiently in the coming weeks.
