DWP Cold Weather Payments update as thousands receive extra cash

Steven Smith
·4-min read
hand adjusting thermostat
-Credit: (Image: Peter Byrne/PA)


Thousands of households have started to receive a bonus payment from the Department for Work and Pensions after recent cold temperatures. The Cold Weather Payment is triggered when the average temperature in an area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

The payment is £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. It is paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest from the DWP.

On Thursday, Uswitch said that 6,000 households had already received the payments, with close to four million eligible for help over this winter.

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Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “Temperatures have plummeted in recent weeks and the government has started issuing £25 Cold Weather Payments to those eligible and living in the coldest areas. 6,000 households have already received payments, with nearly four million people eligible for the assistance this winter.

“Cold Weather Payments help many vulnerable households to keep the heating on when they might not be able to afford it. The payments go to the most vulnerable people in postcodes where the mercury has plunged to zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

“Nearly £30 million was paid out in 2023-24 and higher bills this winter mean the payments are more important than ever. If you’re entitled to the payments, you will receive them automatically to your bank account within 14 days of the temperature limit being triggered.

"You’ll get them if you’re an older person receiving Pension Credit, or if a member of your household is disabled and you get Universal Credit or an income-based benefit. You can check if your postcode is eligible on the Cold Weather Payments page on GOV.UK. With temperatures dropping rapidly, it’s important to track your energy usage and change your habits in a safe and manageable way while keeping warm.”

Uswitch advice to keep costs down while keeping warm

Keep the thermostat down and at a steady temperature - If you can, try to keep your thermostat at around 18C, which is the recommended temperature for people in good health. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that households who turn their thermostats down by just one degree could cut bills by up to 10%.

Draught-proof your home - Cutting draughts is a quick and cost-effective way to keep your home warm while saving money on your bills. Seals between the door and the frame will help prevent heat escaping, and you should also block any gaps around your windows and your loft hatch. Draught excluders placed at the bottom of the door of any room you are in can also keep the chill out.

Check your boiler - Reducing the flow rate on combination boilers can quickly knock money off heating bills, and you won’t even notice the difference. These types of boilers work best when the water going to radiators is heated at 60C or below. However, most boilers are set to a much higher flow rate, costing households more money.

Consider curtains - Curtains are also great at preventing heat loss. Remember to close them at night when it's colder and open them when the sun comes out to let the warmth back in.

Check your radiators - It’s always advisable to keep your radiators as free of obstructions as possible. Sofas positioned in front of radiators will absorb heat rather than letting it spread around the room. When turned on, double-check if there are any cold spots, which may indicate that your radiators need bleeding.

Try a heated blanket - Heated blankets are a great way to avoid getting into a cold bed at night. The good news is that using one for 30 minutes before you get under the covers is more energy efficient than putting the heating on, and will add less than 9p to your bills over a week.

Use your radiators for drying clothes - If your heating is on already, you could use them to dry your clothes at the same time, rather than using a more energy intensive tumble dryer. Be aware that the increased condensation from drying clothes could lead to mould. Dehumidifiers that remove the extra moisture from the air typically use 185W, which will cost 9p for two hours — still much cheaper than a tumble dryer.

Track your energy use - Households looking for an easy way to see how much energy they are using this winter can download the free Uswitch mobile app that lets consumers connect to their smart meter and easily track their energy use. By tracking their consumption people can see what changes they can make to save money, while also ensuring they are reducing their habits in a safe and manageable way.

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