DWP Launches 2026-2027 Cold Weather Payment Scheme

The Department for Work and Pensions launched the Cold Weather Payment scheme for the 2026-2027 winter season, which runs from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The program provides £25 to eligible households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for every seven-day period where the average temperature is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below.

Qualifying benefits for the scheme include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Support for Mortgage Interest. Eligibility is subject to specific conditions regarding disability, employment status, or the presence of children under five. Payments are issued automatically within 14 working days of a qualifying period, though the agency warned that claimants must report changes in circumstances, such as the birth of a child, to maintain eligibility.

Residents of Scotland are ineligible for this specific scheme, as they may instead qualify for the annual Winter Heating Payment. In Northern Ireland, residents can verify eligibility through a separate postcode checker via nidirect.