All Your Cold-Weather Payments in One Place

As temperatures drop, knowing which winter payments and support schemes you can claim could make all the difference to your comfort and peace of mind this season.

From the Warm Home Discount to Winter Fuel Payments and local council help, here’s your complete, up-to-date guide to every major cold-weather payment available across the UK for winter 2025–26, and what to do if you’re struggling to keep up with energy or living costs.

Not sure what you can claim?

See which benefits and support you may be entitled to.

Winter 2025 Support at a Glance

ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026We can no longer help with ECO4 applications. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. You can apply for a free home battery or see other funding options.
  • Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill (automatic).
  • Winter Fuel Payment: £250 to £600 for pensioners.
  • Cold Weather Payments: £25 per week during freezing weather.
  • No new national Cost of Living Payment this year.
  • Local council help: Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments.
  • Energy grants: ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme.
  • Universal Credit deduction cap: Now limited to 15%, leaving you with more to spend on essentials.

1. Warm Home Discount – £150 Off Your Electricity Bill

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) gives eligible households a £150 rebate on electricity bills between October 2025 and March 2026.

You qualify automatically if you receive:

  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or
  • A means-tested benefit (such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit) and have high energy costs based on your home’s characteristics.

Letters and emails are sent between September and December 2025, and your energy supplier applies the discount automatically by 31 March 2026.

2. Winter Fuel Payment – Up to £600 for Pensioners

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment for people born before 24 September 1959. It’s usually worth between £250 and £600 per household, depending on your age, living situation, and whether you receive Pension Credit or other benefits.

The payment includes the “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment”, which continues for winter 2025–26.
Payments are automatic in November or December 2025, showing on your bank statement as “Winter Fuel Payment.”

If you’ve never received it before or your circumstances have changed, you can apply through Winter Fuel Payment.

3. Cold Weather Payments – £25 for Each Freezing Week

The Cold Weather Payment scheme helps people on income-related benefits during prolonged freezing weather. You’ll receive £25 per week for each seven-day period of temperatures below zero degrees Celsius in your area.

You may qualify if you get:

  • Pension Credit.
  • Universal Credit (with limited capability for work or a child under 5).
  • Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Payments are triggered automatically using Met Office data, so you don’t need to claim.

4. Cost of Living Payments – No New National Payment in 2025

Although earlier reports suggested a £450 Cost of Living Payment for 2025, the government has since confirmed that no new national Cost of Living Payments will be issued this year.

However, financial help is still available through targeted local schemes such as the Household Support Fund.

Learn more: Household Support Fund 2025 Extension

5. Local and Discretionary Support Funds

If your rent, energy bills, or essentials have gone up, your local council may be able to help through:

These schemes are means-tested and vary by location, so check your council’s website for details.

6. Energy Efficiency Grants – ECO4 and GBIS

If you’re struggling with high heating costs, you may qualify for free energy-saving home improvements under:

  • The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), or
  • The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

Both run until March 2026 and can fund insulation, boiler upgrades, and other heating improvements for low-income households. These measures can reduce your energy bills permanently while keeping your home warmer.

7. Universal Credit Deduction Cap – More of Your Payment Left Each Month

From April 2025, the Universal Credit deduction cap was cut from 25% to 15% as part of the Fair Repayment Rate reform. This means claimants have more of their monthly payment left for essentials like heating and food.

Read more: Universal Credit Deduction Cap 2025

8. Who Can Claim These Payments

Most payments are made automatically if you qualify. However, you can still:

  • Check eligibility or claim manually via GOV.UK if you think you’ve been missed.
  • Contact Citizens Advice if you need help with forms, evidence, or appeals.

Note: The Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payment apply in England, Scotland and Wales.

If you live in Northern Ireland, visit nidirect.gov.uk for local winter energy support.

Helplines and Useful Contacts

Example: How Winter Support Can Add Up

A retired couple on Pension Credit could receive:

  • £150 from the Warm Home Discount.
  • £600 from the Winter Fuel Payment.
  • £25 per week during any freezing periods under the Cold Weather Payment.

If the winter is particularly cold, these supports could add up to over £800 in total assistance.

Check and Claim Before You Miss Out

  • Most national payments (like WHD and Winter Fuel Payment) are automatic.
  • Local schemes such as the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments may close before March 2026 once budgets are spent.
  • Apply early and contact your council if you need help with rent, food, or fuel bills.

Simple Ways to Save Energy This Winter

Even small steps can help lower bills without sacrificing warmth:

  • Keep radiators clear and bleed them regularly.
  • Use draught excluders and close curtains at night.
  • Set your thermostat one degree lower, it could save around £100 a year.
  • Use timers to heat only when you need to.

These quick fixes, combined with financial support, can make a real difference.

What This Means for You

While there are no new national Cost of Living Payments this winter, several ongoing schemes still offer vital help with heating, rent, and essentials. Check your eligibility for every support listed here, and don’t hesitate to apply for local help if you’re struggling.

Staying informed means staying warm, supported, and stress-free through winter 2025–26.

Don’t Forget

Looking to cut your energy bills? You can apply for a free home battery or see other funding options.