Nearly 1.5 million households across England and Wales have received Cold Weather Payments so far this winter - but campaigners say the £25 support scheme is too slow, too rigid and no longer reflects the true cost of heating a home during freezing temperatures.
The payments are triggered automatically when temperatures fall to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. Eligible low-income households then receive £25 to help with energy bills.
But anti-poverty groups argue the system is outdated and fails to respond quickly enough when temperatures plunge.
'Help should arrive before the cold hits'
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, says the current trigger system needs urgent reform.
He is calling for payments to be made daily during extreme cold, and crucially, in advance - not after a full week of freezing temperatures has already passed.
Under his proposal, households would receive support on every day the Met Office forecasts temperatures of -4°C or lower for the following day.
He also argues the £25 rate should be reviewed so it can increase in line with volatile gas prices.
Campaigners say that when energy costs spike, a flat £25 payment may not be enough to cover the additional heating required during cold snaps.
DWP Cold Weather Payments for thousands of pensioners and families with children https://t.co/PuvpGAQNtO
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) January 7, 2026
1.5 million already paid this winter
The Government confirmed that almost 1.5 million payments have been made so far this winter.
Cold Weather Payments are available to those receiving certain benefits, including:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (subject to criteria)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit recipients qualify automatically.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden described the scheme as a “lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.”
Growing anxiety among older households
Charities say heating costs remain a serious concern, particularly for older people on low incomes.
Independent Age reports that more than half of older people on low incomes in England and Wales regularly worry about paying their heating bills.
Pension Credit, worth an average of £86 per week, can unlock Cold Weather Payments and additional help such as housing support and free NHS dental treatment — but it remains underclaimed.
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Is change coming?
Campaigners argue the seven-day freeze trigger no longer matches modern weather patterns, where sharp cold snaps can hit quickly but may not last a full week.
They say payments should:
- Be triggered sooner
- Reflect real-time energy prices
- Be credited before temperatures drop
- Move to a daily extreme cold model
With nearly 1.5 million households already relying on support this winter, pressure is mounting on ministers to review whether the current £25 payment and trigger rules go far enough.
As energy bills remain unpredictable and temperatures continue to fluctuate, Cold Weather Payments are once again at the centre of debate - and reform could be firmly back on the political agenda.
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