The Department for Work and Pensions triggered its first Cold Weather Payments of the winter season yesterday, with 18 postcode districts across northern England now qualifying for the £25 support.
Approximately 6,000 households in Cumbria, Northumberland and English parts of the Scottish Borders will receive the automatic payment after temperatures in their areas were recorded or forecast to remain at or below freezing for seven consecutive days.
The scheme provides financial assistance to vulnerable residents claiming qualifying benefits when prolonged cold spells hit their region.
Recipients do not need to apply for the payment, which will arrive directly in their bank accounts within 14 working days of being activated.
The payments come as amber cold weather health alerts remain in force across the North East and North West of England, with the warnings set to continue until midday on 5 January.
Forecasters expect temperatures to plummet to as low as minus 5C during this period.
Health officials have cautioned that the freezing conditions are "likely" to place significant strain on health and social care services.
The alerts warn of a potential "rise in deaths" among vulnerable groups, particularly those aged 65 and over or individuals with underlying health conditions.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice covers parts of Scotland north of the central belt, running from 6am on New Year's Day through to midnight on 2 January.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: "It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of 'winter' as we welcome in the new year, initially in the north but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026."
Cold Weather Payments may be triggered in a particular postcode during periods of very cold weather | GETTYArctic air masses combined with powerful northerly winds will bring bitterly cold conditions nationwide, with the wind chill making it feel particularly harsh.
Widespread severe frosts are anticipated, along with what forecasters describe as the first significant snowfall of the winter for many areas.
Snow accumulations could reach around 10cm in some locations by Friday morning, with higher ground and hilltop roads potentially seeing up to 30cm.
Strong winds, possibly reaching gale force, will accompany the wintry conditions in affected zones.
Recipients do not need to apply for the payment, which will arrive directly in their bank accounts within 14 working days of being activated
| PAMr Sidaway urged the public to monitor forecasts closely, noting the cold spell appears set to persist throughout at least the opening week of January.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: "As temperatures plunge, Cold Weather Payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households."
He added that this support, combined with "the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign" and the government's Triple Lock commitment, would ensure pensioners receive adequate assistance through the winter months.
Cold Weather Payments could be triggered as freezing weather hits Britain | GETTY The payments are available to residents of England and Wales receiving qualifying benefits, including Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Support for Mortgage Interest.
An estimated 3.9 million people are eligible for the scheme, with 1.2 million of those claiming Pension Credit.
The 18 postcodes now activated include CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, CA9, LA8, LA9, LA10, LA21, LA22, LA23, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49, DG14 and TD9.
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