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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the PressHive weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
If you receive Universal Credit and live in a postcode where the average temperature is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days, you qualify for a £25 Cold Weather Payment for each seven-day period of cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
How does the Cold Weather Payment work for Universal Credit claimants?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) triggers a payment automatically when your local weather station reports seven straight days of freezing temperatures. You do not need to apply. The £25 payment is added to your usual Universal Credit payment within 14 working days of the cold spell ending. If you think you are owed a payment but have not received it, use the online Cold Weather Payment Checker to confirm your postcode is in a qualifying area.
When will I get my £140 Cold Weather Payment?
The £140 figure often causes confusion. The standard payment is £25 per cold spell, not a single lump sum of £140. Some households receive multiple payments if their area experiences several separate cold snaps. For example, if your postcode qualifies for five separate seven-day cold periods in one winter, you would receive five payments of £25, totalling £125. The DWP pays each instalment separately, usually within two weeks of each cold spell ending.
How do I check if my postcode qualifies for the Cold Weather Payment?
Use the Cold Weather Payment postcode checker on the gov.uk website. Enter your full postcode to see if your area is linked to a weather station that has triggered a payment. You can also check your Universal Credit online account for any recent payments.
Will I get the £140 Cold Weather Payment if I live in Scotland?
Scotland has its own scheme. The £140 figure does not apply there. Scottish claimants on Universal Credit receive a single £50 annual payment under the Scottish Child Winter Heating Assistance scheme, separate from the DWP’s Cold Weather Payment system.
How long after a cold spell will the payment arrive?
The DWP aims to pay within 14 working days of the end of each seven-day cold period. Payments are made directly into the bank account linked to your Universal Credit claim. If you have not received it after three weeks, contact the DWP Cold Weather Payment helpline.