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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.
For Universal Credit claimants in Greater Manchester, a £25 cold weather payment is triggered when the average temperature at your local weather station, such as Woodford or Rostherne, drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.
How does the cold weather payment scheme work with Universal Credit?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) operates the scheme across England and Wales. For those on Universal Credit who are not employed or self-employed, the £140 cold weather payment — issued as a one-off £25 sum per seven-day cold spell — is automatically paid into your bank account. You do not need to apply; the DWP monitors postcodes against local Met Office data. In Scotland, the scheme is replaced by the Scottish Child Payment and Winter Heating Payment, though some Universal Credit claimants may still receive a £140 cold weather payment when will it be paid Scotland under different criteria.
When will I get my Universal Credit cold weather payment?
Payments are typically made within 14 working days after the end of a cold spell. You can use the cold weather payment postcode checker on Public Journal to see if your area, from coastal Blackpool to inland Rochdale, has been triggered. If you are asking “when will i get my cold weather payment universal credit”, check your Universal Credit journal or contact the DWP, as payments are not automatically refunded if you miss them.
Do I need to use a cold weather payment postcode checker to claim?
No. The DWP uses your postcode and local weather station data automatically. Use the cold weather payment postcode checker to confirm your area is triggered, but you do not need to apply.
Is the £140 cold weather payment the same as the £25 per spell?
Yes. The total £140 cold weather payment when will it be paid refers to a maximum of 7 spells over winter. Each spell pays £25; seven spells total £140. Payments are made per spell, not as one lump sum.
When will I get my cold weather payment for pensioners on Universal Credit?
Pensioners on Universal Credit may also receive the Winter Fuel Payment separately. The cold weather payment is automatic; check your bank account about two weeks after a cold spell, or use the cold weather payment dwp tool.