Cold Weather Payments entering bank accounts as temperatures to plummet to -10C - check your postcode

Sub-zero temperatures are forecast across much of the UK from Wednesday night as the big freeze continues. And it means more special payments are likely to be made to ensure the most vulnerable households can keep their homes warm.

Temperatures could plummet as low as -10C in the early hours of Thursday morning. Much of the West Midlands is expected to be around -4C or -5C overnight.

The bitterly cold conditions will mean households having to keep their heating on for longer and this may increase worries about bills. People living in areas where the weather has been coldest over a prolonged period may get £25 cash payments to help with this.

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These are known as Cold Weather Payments. Eligible people include those on Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Support. The money is aimed at those most likely to be struggling to afford heating.

Not everyone will get payments at the same time and some may get no support at all. It depends on temperatures recorded locally at weather stations. People can check if payments are being made in their postcode here.

The sub-zero temperatures overnight into Thursday are likely to trigger more payments in the worst-hit areas. The Government said: "You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically.

"You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025."