As someone who’s researched winter support payments in the UK extensively, I know how confusing the whole “£140 Cold Weather Payment” talk can be.
Many people think it’s a single lump sum paid once a year, but that’s not quite right. In reality, support comes through weather‑linked payments and other schemes.
Here’s the key answer upfront:
- Cold Weather Payment isn’t a fixed £140 payment
- You get £25 for each 7‑day cold spell (0°C or below)
- Multiple payments can add up to £140 or more
- Payments are automatic if eligible
Below, we unpack when it’s paid, who qualifies, how it interacts with other winter support, and what to do if you don’t receive it.
What Is the £140 Cold Weather Payment – Is It a Lump Sum?
Contrary to a common misconception, there is no single £140 lump sum that is routinely paid under the Cold Weather Payment scheme in the UK. Instead, what many people refer to as a “£140 payment” typically results when someone receives multiple weekly payments of £25 during extended periods of sub‑zero conditions.
How the Payments Work?
The Cold Weather Payment is designed to provide additional financial help during times of exceptionally cold weather. For each 7‑day period where the average temperature in your area is 0°C or below, eligible claimants receive £25. These weekly amounts can accumulate if weather conditions persist for several weeks.
To put the amounts into context, here’s a comparison of the payment totals over multiple qualifying cold spells:
| Number of Cold Weeks | Total Cold Weather Payment |
| 1 week | £25 |
| 3 weeks | £75 |
| 6 weeks | £150 |
| 8 weeks | £200 |
This table illustrates why some households might hear about a “£140” figure: multiple qualifying periods can push total winter payments into higher cumulative sums, but there is no fixed £140 entitlement.
“It’s essential to realise this support is cumulative – not a guaranteed single payment.”
And importantly, the Cold Weather Payment is separate from other winter support schemes such as the Warm Home Discount or the Winter Fuel Payment (which operate under different rules and amounts).
How the Cold Weather Payment Works in the UK?
The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs between 1 November and 31 March each year and is triggered by certain weather conditions and benefit criteria.
Weather Trigger Explained
For a payment to be triggered in your area:
- The average temperature must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or colder for seven consecutive days; and
- The local trigger is based on weather station data mapped to postcode areas.
Once that criterion is met in your postcode:
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will identify eligible claimants.
- Payments of £25 are processed automatically.
- Funds are typically deposited into your usual bank account within 14 working days after each qualifying cold period.
“These payments are not one‑off sums but linked directly to weather severity.”
Because multiple cold snaps can occur during winter, multiple payments are possible each year. Some households receive payments for several triggered periods depending on local temperatures.
For real‑time weather triggers and postcode‑level qualification, you can use the government’s official postcode checking tool at gov.uk to see if your area has been triggered , here’s what they conveyed about this tool and payment timing.
Who Qualifies for Cold Weather Payments in 2025/26?
Eligibility is not universal, it is tied to specific benefits and weather conditions.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must be receiving certain benefits, including:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
These benefits are recognised under the government’s rules for Cold Weather Payments.
But it’s not enough to simply receive one of these benefits, you must meet additional qualifying conditions, particularly for Universal Credit, where factors such as employment status, health conditions, disability, or having a young child can influence eligibility.
Here’s a simplified look at common eligibility scenarios:
| Benefit Type | Typical Eligibility Conditions |
| Pension Credit | Usually automatically eligible |
| Income Support / JSA | Must also have a disability, pensioner premium, or child <5 |
| Income‑related ESA | Support or work‑related activity group usually qualifies |
| Universal Credit | Conditions around work status, disability, or child <5 |
| Support for Mortgage Interest | Must meet conditions to be treated as receiving qualifying benefit |
It’s important to note that Scotland operates a separate scheme, the Winter Heating Payment, which is not linked to local temperatures but is a fixed, annual amount for eligible claimants.
When Will Cold Weather Payments Be Made?
Timing is one of the most common questions, especially, “when will I receive my payment?”
Once your area has experienced a qualifying cold spell:
- Payments are usually made within 14 working days into the same bank account where your benefit payments are received.
- There’s no application process , the system is automatic if you’re eligible and a qualifying cold snap has occurred.
A helpful way to think about the timing is this:
Weather trigger occurs → DWP processes data → Payment arrives within two weeks.
This cycle can repeat multiple times in a single winter if local temperatures repeatedly meet the cold snaps condition.
What Happens If You Don’t Receive a Payment?
If you should have been eligible but don’t receive a payment:
- Check your benefit eligibility records, make sure your benefit claim is up to date with DWP.
- Update bank account details; incorrect information can delay or misroute payments.
- Contact support services for example, your local Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus office.
For Universal Credit recipients, you can also add a note in your online journal to flag the missing payment.
Cold Weather Payment vs Other Winter Support Schemes
It helps to understand how Cold Weather Payments relate to other government support schemes:
| Support Scheme | Type of Payment | Amount | Trigger |
| Cold Weather Payment | Direct cash payment | £25 per cold week | Average temp 0°C or below for 7 days |
| Warm Home Discount | Electricity bill credit | ~£150 per year | Based on income/benefits |
| Winter Fuel Payment | Lump sum benefit | Usually £100–£300 | Age‑based criteria |
- The Warm Home Discount provides a one‑off reduction on electricity bills, it’s not direct cash and is separate from Cold Weather Payments.
- The Winter Fuel Payment is age‑based and typically paid automatically to those born before a set date; it’s not dependent on weather conditions.
“Each scheme serves a different purpose but together they form a broader winter support framework.”
How to Check If You’re Due a Cold Weather Payment?
The quickest way to check is via the postcode checking tool on the GOV.UK site. This tool shows whether your area has experienced a qualifying period of cold weather , and whether a payment has been triggered.
Steps typically are:
- Visit the Cold Weather Payment postcode checker online.
- Enter your postcode.
- View whether your area has had qualifying weather conditions.
- If yes and you are eligible, expect payment within 14 days.
For Northern Ireland residents, there is a separate postcode checker service with equivalent information.
What If You Didn’t Get Your Cold Weather Payment?
There are several possible reasons:
- Benefit eligibility data might be incomplete or outdated.
- Your bank account details may need updating with DWP.
- A qualifying cold snap may not yet have been identified for your area.
In many cases, simply checking your records and contacting the appropriate support service can resolve missing payments. For Universal Credit recipients, the online journal function is often the quickest route to report an issue.
Conclusion
Although the term “£140 Cold Weather Payment” circulates widely, the reality is that the Cold Weather Payment in the UK consists of £25 for each qualifying seven‑day period of very cold weather, and multiple payments can add up over winter. Payments are made automatically into your benefit bank account within approximately 14 working days after each qualifying cold spell.
Understanding how these payments work, along with how they differ from other winter schemes like the Warm Home Discount or Winter Fuel Payment, helps ensure that eligible households receive the support they’re entitled to during colder months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cold Weather Payments be made if you’re in hospital during a qualifying week?
Yes, but extended hospital stays may affect eligibility if your benefits are paused or adjusted. It’s important to inform the DWP of any changes to your circumstances, including hospitalisation, to ensure your records are up to date.
Does receiving Cold Weather Payments impact other benefits or taxes?
No, Cold Weather Payments are not taxable and do not affect other benefits you receive. They are treated as separate, additional financial support during winter.
Is there a limit to the number of Cold Weather Payments you can receive in a winter?
There’s no official cap. If your area experiences multiple qualifying cold spells between 1 November and 31 March, you’ll receive £25 for each, provided you’re eligible.
Can you get Cold Weather Payments if you use a prepayment or pay-as-you-go energy meter?
Yes. Your method of paying for energy does not affect your eligibility since payments are issued by the DWP and not your energy provider. The funds go directly to your bank account.
What should you do if your circumstances change mid-winter (e.g. having a baby)?
Inform the DWP or update your Universal Credit journal immediately. New circumstances, such as a child under 5 joining your household, can change your eligibility status for the remainder of the Cold Weather Payment period.
Are people living in mobile or park homes eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
Yes, as long as they receive qualifying benefits and meet the same criteria as other residents. Their housing type does not exclude them from receiving payments.
Can someone outside the UK claim the Cold Weather Payment?
No, the scheme only applies to residents living in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own version, the Winter Heating Payment, and overseas residents are not eligible.
