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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Public Journal weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
To check your eligibility, use the DWP’s official cold weather payment checker at gov.uk — enter your postcode to see if your area has triggered a £25 or £140 payment based on Met Office temperature data.
How does the cold weather payment checker work?
The checker, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, links your postcode to local weather station readings. If the average temperature in your area stays at or below 0°C for seven consecutive days, a payment is triggered. You can check your postcode any time during winter (1 November to 31 March) to see if a trigger has occurred in the past 24 hours.
When will I get my cold weather payment?
Once triggered, the DWP pays the £25 or £140 automatically within 14 working days — you do not need to apply. If you receive Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, the payment appears on your usual benefit statement. Use the Universal Credit cold weather payment page for benefit-specific details.
How do I check if my postcode received a cold weather payment?
Go to the gov.uk cold weather payment page and enter your full postcode. The checker shows whether a payment has been triggered in the last 24 hours and gives the period dates. You can also check the UK weather hub for forecast temperatures in your area.
What is the £140 cold weather payment?
The £140 cold weather payment is an annual one-off payment for households receiving certain benefits during winter. It is separate from the £25 per-trigger payments and is paid automatically in November or December. Check the 10-day forecast to see if severe cold is expected in your region.
When will my cold weather payment be paid?
Payments are made within 14 working days of the trigger date. The DWP sends the money directly into your account — you do not need to claim. For the exact payment schedule, use the dwp cold weather payment checker online or check your benefit statement.