Almost 1.5 Million Households Receive £25 Cold Weather Payments

Cost of living support helps low-income pensioners and families stay warm during cold weather

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Almost 1.5 million households across England and Wales have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December, providing vital cost of living support to help people stay warm during cold weather. Over £35 million has been paid out so far this winter to vulnerable households, including low-income pensioners and families with young children, to help them pay their bills.

Why it matters

The Cold Weather Payments are an important part of the government's wider cost of living support measures, which also include increasing the national living wage, cutting energy bills by £150, and providing a £300 Winter Fuel Payment for over nine million pensioners. These efforts aim to help the most vulnerable households cope with rising costs and stay warm during the winter months.

The details

Cold Weather Payments are made automatically when temperatures drop to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. Those receiving Pension Credit automatically qualify for the payments, but some households in receipt of other support - including Universal Credit and Income Support - may also be eligible if they meet additional criteria. The payments go directly to eligible households to help them cover the costs of heating their homes.

  • The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026.
  • As of mid-February 2026, almost 1.5 million households have received the £25 payment.

The players

Pat McFadden

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Torsten Bell

Minister for Pensions

Morgan Vine

Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age

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What they’re saying

“This support is a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.”

— Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

“Almost 1.5 million households have already benefited from Cold Weather Payments this winter, with support reaching those who need it most.”

— Torsten Bell, Minister for Pensions

“Cold Weather Payments can be a lifeline during cold snaps. With more than half of older people on low incomes across England and Wales regularly sharing that they are worried about meeting the cost of their heating bill, it is crucial that vital support like this reaches those who need it most”

— Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age

What’s next

The government will continue to monitor the Cold Weather Payment scheme and provide updates on the total amount paid out at the end of the payment season in March 2026.

The takeaway

The Cold Weather Payments are an important part of the government's broader efforts to support vulnerable households with the rising cost of living, helping ensure low-income pensioners and families can stay warm during the winter months.