Households on Universal Credit can get free cash every time it’s cold this winter – check if you’re eligible

HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit and other benefits can get free cash every time it is cold this winter.

Cold Weather Payments is a type of support set up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with energy costs when temperatures drop.

To be eligible for the support you must be claiming certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Support for Mortgage Interest.

Temperatures also must hit zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days for the sum to be paid out.

You do not need to apply for the scheme as the money will be paid into anyone who qualifies account within 14 days.

If you meet the requirements, you will receive £25 for each seven day period of incredibly cold weather.

This year the payments will be made between November 1 2025 and March 31 2026.

Who can claim the support?

To be eligible for the support you must be claiming one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may also have to meet one or more of these additional criteria:

• Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
• Have a child who is disabled
• Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
• Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
• Have a child under five living with you

How do I apply for the payment?

You do not have to apply for the payment as it is paid automatically to those who are eligible.

But if you are worried about your energy bills this winter then it is worth checking if you are missing out on benefits that could help you qualify for the payment.

Using a benefits calculator can be an easy way to do this.

There are a number of these tools online and they are free and anonymous to use.

For example, charity Turn2Us’ has a benefits calculator that works out what you could get.

Entitledto’s free calculator determines also whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

You can also use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

More support for energy bills

This October will see energy bills rise by £35.14 per year for households using a typical amount of energy.

This is up from the current rate of £1,720, which came into effect in July as part of Ofgem‘s energy price cap.

The move only impacts those on the standard variable tariffs.

But there are many support schemes available for those worried about rising costs.

For example, British Gas gives households the opportunity to have their payments matched by the supplier for a period of six months.

For more information search British Gas You Pay: We Pay.

You can also get support through the Household Support Fund.

The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England.

Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.

But households have received help worth up to £500 to help cover rising bills.