DWP £50 Cold Weather payments due for 18 postcode areas - how to check

DWP has announced the first Cold Weather Payments of the year have been triggered

Some UK households could be set for a financial boost, with potential payouts due to the recent cold snap. Those on certain benefits are entitled to extra cash during frosty periods to help cover heating costs.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) runs its Cold Weather Payment scheme each year from November to March. When the mercury dips below 0C for seven consecutive days, eligible households within the affected postcodes will receive a one-off payment of £25.

However, some homes may qualify for two consecutive Cold Weather Payments, leading to a £50 bonus. The first Cold Weather Payments of the year have now been triggered following a drop in UK temperatures.

Which benefits are eligible for the Cold Weather Payment

A range of benefits could make you eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, including:

• Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
• Support for mortgage interest
• Income support
• Pension Credit
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit

According to the DWP, 18 postcode areas in England are due payments of £50 for meeting the right criteria. You must also live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, as Scottish residents do not qualify for Cold Weather Payments.

Even if you're receiving some of these benefits, there may be additional criteria that need to be met, full details of which can be found on GOV.UK. To check if your postcode is eligible for a payment, you can use the DWP's postcode checker on GOV.UK.

Scottish postcodes are not part of the Cold Weather Payment scheme. However, certain areas of the Scottish Borders, which technically are part of England despite having a Scottish postcode, are eligible for payments.

The full list of postcodes due £50 in Cold Weather Payments are as follows:

TD9, DG14, NE19, NE48, NE49, NE47, CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23