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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the UK Bullet weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Use the DWP cold weather payment checker to see if your postcode has triggered a £140 payment during a cold spell. Payments are automatic for eligible households when the average temperature in your area is recorded at or below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days.
How do I check if my postcode qualifies for a cold weather payment?
Enter your postcode into the official GOV.UK cold weather payment checker to see if a payment has been triggered in your area. The tool confirms the dates of any qualifying cold spell and when the £140 payment will be made. You can also use the DWP cold weather payment postcode checker directly on the government website.
When will I get my cold weather payment?
Payments are issued automatically within 14 working days of a cold spell being recorded and verified by the Met Office. If you are eligible, you do not need to contact the DWP. The 140 cold weather payment when will it be paid question is answered by checking your bank statement or the online checker after a cold spell ends. For the latest UK weather conditions that could trigger a payment, see our UK weather hub.
Who qualifies for the cold weather payment?
You qualify if you receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income Support, and your postcode falls within a cold spell zone. The cold weather payment DWP scheme covers most of the UK, but postcodes in higher-altitude areas are monitored separately. Use the 25 cold weather payment postcode checker to confirm eligibility for your specific area.
Do I need to apply for the cold weather payment?
No. The cold weather payment is automatic for eligible households. You do not need to claim or apply — the DWP uses Met Office data to trigger payments when your postcode records a qualifying cold spell.
What if I think I should have received a payment but haven’t?
First, use the DWP cold weather payment checker online to confirm your postcode triggered a payment. If it did and you have not received it within 14 working days, contact the DWP directly via your benefit account.
Does the cold weather payment affect my other benefits?
No. The £140 cold weather payment is tax-free and does not count as income for benefit calculations. It will not affect your Universal Credit, Pension Credit or any other means-tested benefit.