The New Year is on its way - and it’s bringing a cold snap and £25 payments

The new year is almost here - and it’s arriving with a bite of winter cold.

With freezing temperatures spreading across parts of the country, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that cold weather payments have now been triggered in several areas. That means some low-income households could soon receive £25 paid automatically to help cover higher heating costs.

For many, this extra support couldn’t come at a more important time, with energy bills set to rise on 1 January.

Why cold weather payments are being paid now

Cold weather payments are designed to help people on low incomes cope when temperatures stay at or below 0°C for seven days in a row.

When that happens in a specific area, the DWP triggers a £25 payment for everyone who qualifies and lives there. Payments can be made between 1 November and 31 March, and you can receive more than one during the winter if there are several cold spells.

With the new year on its way and freezing weather already settling in, the first payments of the season have now been confirmed.

Areas where cold weather payments have been triggered

Cold weather payments have been triggered in the following postcode areas, mainly across the north of England and border regions:

Cumbria

• CA9
• CA10
• CA11
• CA12
• CA16
• CA17

Lancashire and the Lake District

• LA8
• LA9
• LA10
• LA21
• LA22
• LA23

Northumberland

• NE19
• NE47
• NE48
• NE49

Border areas

• DG14
• TD9

If you live in one of these areas and receive a qualifying benefit, the £25 payment should be paid automatically, usually within around 14 working days.

Who can get a cold weather payment?

You don’t need to apply, as payments are made automatically if you qualify.

You may be eligible if:

• you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and
• you receive certain benefits, including:

- universal credit

- pension credit

- income support

- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

- income-related Employment and Support Allowance

- support for mortgage interest

If you’re on universal credit, you usually qualify if you have:

• a child under five, or
• a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work

The payment is tax-free, doesn’t affect your other benefits, and is paid into the same account as your regular benefits.

Why this matters now

Just as we ring in the New Year, many households will see energy costs creep up again. From 1 January 2026, Ofgem’s price cap - the maximum on what suppliers can charge for gas and electricity on standard variable tariffs - will rise slightly from around £1,755 to £1,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household.

While that’s only a small rise - about 28p more a month - it comes at a time when energy use is high through the coldest months of winter. And many low-income families are already finding it hard to afford heating and electricity.

So even a little increase matters when you’re counting every pound. That’s why this cold weather payment, just when temperatures drop and bills start to rise, can be a real help for households on tight incomes.

How to check if your area qualifies

Even if your postcode isn’t listed above, it’s still worth checking. Cold weather payments can be triggered any time up until the end of March.

You can use the government’s cold weather payment postcode checker to see if a payment has been triggered where you live.

If you think you should have received a payment but haven’t:

• Universal Credit claimants can leave a note in their online journal
• others should contact their benefit office or the Pension Service

Tips for staying warm this winter

Cold weather payments help, but they’re just one part of managing winter costs. As the new year approaches, these simple steps can also help:

• turn your thermostat down by 1°C to reduce heating costs
• use draft excluders and thick curtains to keep warmth in
• talk to your energy supplier about payment plans or hardship support
• check what other help you’re entitled to, such as the Warm Home Discount or Household Support Fund