The short version: the Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. If you get certain benefits, you’ll be paid £25 for every seven-day spell when the average temperature where you live is recorded or forecast at 0°C or below. You don’t need to apply, the money arrives automatically, and it doesn’t affect your other benefits.
Here’s who qualifies, how London postcodes are checked, when the money arrives, and what other winter help is available this year.
Cold Weather Payment 2026 to 2027 at a glance
| How much | £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather, with no limit on the number of payments |
| Scheme dates | 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 |
| Trigger | An average temperature of 0°C or below for seven days in a row, recorded or forecast |
| Who gets it | People on Pension Credit, plus some people on Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits |
| Do I apply? | No. It’s paid automatically |
| When is it paid? | Within 14 working days of a cold spell being triggered |
| Where | England and Wales. Scotland has a different scheme |
Who qualifies?
Pension Credit
If you get Pension Credit, you qualify automatically. There are no extra conditions. This is one of several reasons it’s worth checking whether you’re entitled to Pension Credit if you’re over State Pension age on a low income, because it unlocks other help too.
Universal Credit and other benefits
People on Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Support for Mortgage Interest can also qualify, but only if they meet extra conditions. These relate to things like disability, having a child under five, caring for a disabled child, or having limited capability for work. The exact rules differ between benefits, so the GOV.UK eligibility page is the place to check your own situation.
Being over State Pension age isn’t enough on its own. You need to be on a qualifying benefit.
How are London postcodes checked?
Your postcode is linked to a nearby Met Office weather station, one of about 90 used for the scheme. What counts is the average temperature recorded or forecast at that station over seven consecutive days, not the temperature on your own thermometer or in your street.
London is usually milder than much of the UK because of the size of the city and the heat it holds, so seven-day freezing spells are less common here than in the north. They do still happen in hard winters. The quickest way to find out if your area has had a payment is the government’s Cold Weather Payments postcode checker on GOV.UK, which opens for the new season on 1 November.
When will I get the money?
Payments are made within 14 working days of a cold spell being triggered, into the same bank account as your benefit. One payment is made per household. It’s tax-free and isn’t counted as income for any means-tested benefit.
If you think you should have been paid and haven’t been, contact the Pension Service if you get Pension Credit, or Jobcentre Plus for other benefits. If you get Universal Credit, you can raise it through your online journal.
Other help with winter bills
The Cold Weather Payment is only one part of the support available. You can get more than one of these at the same time.
Winter Fuel Payment
A yearly payment of between £100 and £300 for people born on or before 27 June 1960, paid whatever the weather. It’s separate from the Cold Weather Payment.
Warm Home Discount
A £150 credit on your electricity bill for people on some low-income benefits. It isn’t paid as cash.
The new £100 energy payment
In the Budget on 28 October, the Chancellor announced a £100 payment this winter for households in council tax bands A to D, paid through the council tax system. Gas standing charges are also being abolished. Our Budget 2026 guide for London has the details.
If you live in Scotland
Scotland doesn’t run the Cold Weather Payment. The Scottish Winter Heating Payment is paid once a year instead, whatever the weather.
Keeping warm for less in London
- Public libraries and many community centres run warm spaces in winter. Your borough’s website lists the ones near you
- Free museums are a warm place to spend an afternoon. See our list of free things to do in London
- Check your energy supplier’s hardship fund if you’re behind on bills
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Cold Weather Payment in 2026?
£25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.
Do I need to apply for the Cold Weather Payment?
No. If you qualify, it’s paid automatically into your bank account.
Who is eligible for the Cold Weather Payment?
Everyone on Pension Credit, plus people on Universal Credit and some other means-tested benefits who meet extra conditions, such as having a disability or a child under five.
How do I check if my London postcode has had a payment?
Use the Cold Weather Payments postcode checker on GOV.UK, which opens on 1 November.
Can I get the Cold Weather Payment and the Winter Fuel Payment?
Yes. They’re separate and you can get both.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment
- GOV.UK: winter support for pensioners and low-income households
- Retirement Expert: Cold Weather Payment 2026/27
Last checked: 31 October 2026. This is general information, not financial advice. Check your own entitlement on GOV.UK or with the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. Image: Kemal ATLI, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
