As winter begins, many people across the UK look forward to extra financial help to manage rising heating costs. One of these support schemes is the £25 Cold Weather Payment.
But recently, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issued an important warning: millions of people living in one particular region cannot get this payment, no matter how cold it gets.
This has caused confusion for many households. Below is a simple and clear explanation so you understand exactly who qualifies and why some areas are excluded.
Who Can Get the £25 Cold Weather Payment?
You may qualify if:
- You live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland
- You receive one of the qualifying benefits
- The temperature in your postcode meets the required level
The payment is linked to the weather report from your local weather station. So, even within the same country, some postcodes may receive the payment while others may not.
DWP Message for Scotland: ‘You Cannot Get Cold Weather Payments’
If you check the Government’s online checker and choose Scotland, you will immediately see the message:
“You cannot get Cold Weather Payments.”
This is because Scotland no longer uses the Cold Weather Payment scheme.
Why Scotland Does Not Receive Cold Weather Payments
The scheme has been replaced in Scotland with a different type of support called the Winter Heating Payment.
Key Difference:
| Feature | Cold Weather Payment | Winter Heating Payment (Scotland) |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | £25 per trigger | £59.75 one-off payment |
| Based on weather? | Yes | No – paid regardless of weather |
| When paid? | Throughout winter | December 2025 |
| Region | England, Wales, Northern Ireland | Scotland only |
This means that even if the weather is extremely cold, Scotland still will not get Cold Weather Payments. Instead, eligible people receive one fixed Winter Heating Payment every year.
Who Qualifies for Scotland’s Winter Heating Payment?
You may get the £59.75 Winter Heating Payment if, during the qualifying week (3 November to 9 November), you received one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Additional Rules Based on Your Benefit
Different benefits have extra conditions you must meet. Here is a simple breakdown:
Income Support / Income-based JSA
You must have:
- A child under 5, or
- A disability premium, severe disability premium, pensioner premium, or child disability premium
Pension Credit
- No extra conditions; receiving Pension Credit alone qualifies you.
Income-related ESA
You must have:
- A child under 5, or
- Be in a support group or work-related activity group, or
- Receive a severe disability premium, enhanced disability premium, or pensioner premium
Universal Credit
You qualify if:
- You are employed/self-employed and receive a child disability element or young person disability element, OR
- You are not employed and have:
- A limited capability for work element, or
- A limited capability for work and work-related activity element, or
- A child/young person disability element, or
- A child under 5
Cold Weather Payments continue to support thousands of households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but Scotland follows a different system.
Instead of weather-based support, Scotland provides a guaranteed Winter Heating Payment so people know exactly what to expect each year.
Understanding these differences helps families plan better during the cold season and ensures that people know exactly what support they can claim. Staying informed is the best way to make sure you do not miss any winter benefit that could help you manage rising heating costs.
FAQs
Why does Scotland not get the £25 Cold Weather Payment?
Scotland replaced the scheme with the Winter Heating Payment, which gives a fixed amount regardless of temperature.
Can people in England receive both Cold Weather Payments and Winter Heating Payments?
No. The Winter Heating Payment is only for Scotland. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland use the Cold Weather Payment system.
How do I check if a Cold Weather Payment has been triggered in my area?
You can use the Government’s online postcode checker to see if your local weather station has triggered the payment.