The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that residents in 164 postcode areas across England will receive Cold Weather Payments due to recent freezing temperatures. This initiative aims to support vulnerable households in managing heating costs during severe cold spells.
Expansion of Payment Areas
Initially, 116 areas were set to benefit from these payments, but an additional 48 areas have now been included. Many of these areas are located in Yorkshire. The payments are triggered when temperatures drop below 0°C for seven consecutive days, ensuring support for those most in need during extreme cold conditions.
Eligibility Criteria
Cold Weather Payments provide a one-time payment of £25 to eligible households. To qualify, residents must be receiving one 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
It is important to note that eligibility is limited to residents of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scottish residents are not covered under this scheme.
Payment Process
Payments are automatically deposited into bank accounts within 14 days of the cold weather period. This year, the payments have been triggered in multiple regions following a snowy and icy start to 2025.
Notable Weather Conditions
In Sutherland, the northernmost region of the Highlands, temperatures plummeted to -14.5°C, marking the coldest night of the winter so far in the UK and the chilliest January night since 2010. The Met Office has indicated a change in weather patterns, with milder temperatures expected from the south-west.
Affected Areas
Regions in Yorkshire, Wales, Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire are among those where Cold Weather Payments have been triggered. Below is the full list of postcodes eligible for payments during various periods in January:
January 9 to 16:
- DH1, DH6, DH7, DH8, DH9, DL4, DL5, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17, NE18, NE20, NE44, NE45, NE46, TS21, TS28, TS29, DE4, DE6, DE45, S32, S33, SK13, SK17, SK22, SK23, ST8, ST9, ST10, ST11, ST13
January 10 to 17:
- NE71, TD5, TD12, TD15, LL20, LL21, LL23, SY10, SY15, SY16, SY17, SY19, SY21, SY22
January 4 to 11:
- BD23, BD24, DL8, DL11, DL12, DL13, BB4, BB8, BB9, BB10, BB11, BB12, BB18, BD1 to BD22, HD3, HD7, HD8, HD9, HX1 to HX7, LS21, LS29, OL13, OL14, S36
January 2 to 9:
- DG14, TD9, CA9, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23
Residents can check their eligibility and payment status using the DWP’s interactive map.
Conclusion
This winter’s Cold Weather Payments are a crucial support mechanism for many households struggling to cope with the financial burden of heating during freezing temperatures. For detailed information on eligibility and payment timelines, residents are encouraged to visit the DWP’s official website.
Manish Kumar is a seasoned journalist and the Senior Editor at NewIndiaNetwork.com, with over a decade of experience in uncovering stories that matter. A leader both in the newsroom and beyond, he thrives on guiding his team to deliver impactful, thought-provoking content. When he’s not shaping headlines, you can find him sharing his insights on Twitter @humanish95 or connecting via email at manishdhanda60@gmail.com.
