When the temperature drops, heating bills go up, and for people on a low income that can be a real worry. Cold Weather Payments are designed to help during the coldest spells, and they are paid automatically, so many people do not even realise they are getting them.
Here is how Cold Weather Payments work for winter 2026 to 2027, who qualifies, and some simple, low-cost ways to keep your home warm.
Quick answer: If you get Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you get £25 for every 7-day period when the average temperature in your area is, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below. The scheme runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You do not need to apply. In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment of £62 replaces it.
In this guide
- How Cold Weather Payments work
- Who qualifies
- How and when you are paid
- Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Other help with heating costs
- Cheap ways to keep warm
How do Cold Weather Payments work?
You get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather in your area between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.
A period counts as very cold when the average temperature recorded or forecast at your local weather station is zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row. Each qualifying period triggers a separate payment, so in a very cold winter you could get several.
You can check if a payment is due in your postcode area from November.
Who qualifies?
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive:
- Pension Credit: most people on Pension Credit get them
- Universal Credit: if you are not in work or gainfully self-employed, and either you have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work, or you have a child under 5. You also qualify if your claim includes a disabled child amount
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance: if you are in the work-related activity group or support group, or you have certain premiums or a child under 5
- Support for Mortgage Interest, in some circumstances
For most pensioners, the key is Pension Credit. If you think you might qualify but have not claimed it, read our guide to Pension Credit. It is the gateway to Cold Weather Payments, the full Winter Fuel Payment, help with council tax and much more.
How and when are you paid?
- Payments are made automatically. You do not need to apply.
- You should get the money within 14 working days of a cold spell.
- It goes into the same account as your benefit payments.
- It does not affect your other benefits.
If you think you should have been paid and have not been, contact the Pension Service (if you get Pension Credit) or Jobcentre Plus. Universal Credit claimants can add a note to their online journal. Tell them if you go into hospital, as it could affect your payment.
Be wary of texts or calls asking you to “apply” for a Cold Weather Payment. Genuine payments are automatic, and the government will not ask for your bank details by text. See our guide to avoiding scams in retirement.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland: Cold Weather Payments have been replaced by the Winter Heating Payment, a single annual payment of £62 for people on qualifying benefits, whatever the weather. It is paid automatically from December. Pensioners in Scotland may also get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
- Northern Ireland: Cold Weather Payments work in the same way. Check your area on nidirect.
Other help with heating costs
- Winter Fuel Payment: £100 to £300 for most people born on or before 27 June 1960. See our Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27 guide.
- Warm Home Discount: a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill if you are eligible, usually applied automatically. It is not available in Northern Ireland.
- Your energy supplier: ask about hardship funds and payment plans, and join the Priority Services Register for extra support, such as advance notice of power cuts.
- Grants for insulation and heating: your council, or schemes such as Home Energy Scotland and Nest in Wales, may help with insulation or a more efficient boiler.
- Benefits you might be missing: extra income from Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit can make a much bigger difference than any single payment.
Cheap ways to keep warm this winter
Heat the right rooms
- Try to heat the main room you use during the day to at least 18°C, especially if you are older or have a health condition.
- Close doors to keep heat in the rooms you use, and close curtains at dusk.
- Heat your bedroom before you go to bed, then turn it down.
Keep the heat in
- Use draught excluders on doors, and seal gaps around windows with cheap draught-proofing strips.
- Bleed radiators so they heat up properly, and do not block them with furniture or long curtains.
- Put foil behind radiators on outside walls to reflect heat back into the room.
Keep yourself warm
- Wear several thin layers rather than one thick one, and keep your feet and head warm.
- Use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket (check it is in good condition and follow the instructions).
- Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day.
- Keep moving: even light activity helps. Our tips on staying active and healthy in retirement have ideas.
Use your heating more efficiently
- Set your thermostat to a steady temperature and use a timer rather than turning the heating on and off.
- Turn down radiators in rooms you do not use.
- Lower your boiler’s flow temperature if you have a combi boiler. Ask your engineer or supplier how.
For more money-saving ideas, see habits that help people save money in retirement and the hidden costs of retirement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to claim Cold Weather Payments?
No. If you are eligible, they are paid automatically.
Do I have to spend it on heating?
No, it is your money. But it is designed to help with heating costs during very cold weather.
I get the State Pension only. Will I get it?
Not on the State Pension alone. You need to get Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit. If your income is low, check whether you can claim Pension Credit.
Final thoughts
Cold Weather Payments are a useful safety net, but they only reach people on certain benefits. If you are a pensioner on a low income and not yet claiming Pension Credit, that is the single most important thing to check this winter. Stay warm, and look out for older neighbours and relatives when the weather turns cold.
