The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided a crucial update concerning Cold Weather Payments for the winter of 2024-2025. This year, the DWP issued over 1.4 million separate payouts to eligible households, offering essential financial assistance to those most vulnerable during harsh weather conditions.
The payments, aimed at alleviating the burden of cold temperatures, were provided to people on certain benefits when temperatures dropped below freezing for seven consecutive days. This initiative has proven vital in ensuring the well-being of the most at-risk members of society.
According to a report by lancs live, these payments are part of broader government efforts to help low-income households.
What Are Cold Weather Payments and Who Qualifies?
Cold Weather Payments are issued automatically to people receiving certain benefits if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.
For each qualifying period, recipients receive £25. This scheme, designed to support vulnerable households, was active from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
You may qualify for Cold Weather Payments if you’re receiving any of the following benefits :
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
How Much Money Has Been Paid Out?
In total, the DWP distributed £35 million through Cold Weather Payments this winter. Among the recipients, approximately 385,000 individuals receiving Pension Credit were awarded £9 million in payments.
This aligns with the government’s broader efforts to support low-income pensioners, with around 50,000 additional Pension Credit awards made since last summer, marking a 64% increase compared to the same period last year.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell commented on the government’s winter support efforts, stating:
We supported millions of households this winter through Pension Credit and Cold Weather Payments, alongside extending the Household Support Fund and the Warm Home Discount.
For pensioners, this will have come on top of the State Pension, which is set to increase by up to £1,900 over this parliament for millions, thanks to our commitment to the Triple Lock.
How Does the Payment System Work?
Eligible individuals do not need to apply for Cold Weather Payments as these are issued automatically. However, if certain changes in living circumstances occur, such as the birth of a child or a young child moving into the home, recipients must inform Jobcentre Plus to ensure continued eligibility.
Payments are made within 14 working days following each qualifying cold weather period and are deposited into the same account as other benefit payments.
If you are receiving Income Support, income-based JSA, or income-related ESA, and you’ve had a baby or a child under 5 has come to live with you, you must inform Jobcentre Plus. If you do not update your details, you will not automatically receive Cold Weather Payments.
What to Do if You Haven’t Received Your Cold Weather Payment?
If you believe you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not, the DWP advises you to contact the relevant department. For those on Universal Credit, you can check your account and add a note to your journal.
Alternatively, if you do not have an online account, you can call the Universal Credit helpline. For other benefits like Pension Credit, contacting the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus is recommended.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme provides essential assistance to those facing extreme cold, and the DWP’s latest efforts underscore its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly pensioners, during the harsh winter months.
