Cold Weather Payments triggered in 18 places as UK braces for snow - how to check if you're due £25 this week

The £25 payments are triggered when temperatures in eligible areas hit zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

The scheme provides vital support for vulnerable households during periods of sustained cold weather.

Despite changes being made to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility in September, thousands of people still have the chance to get payments to help them heat their homes during cold periods.

Eligible residents can expect the £25 payment to be paid directly into their bank accounts within the next 14 days.

Residents can check if their area is due for a payment by visiting the official DWP website at coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk.

Forecasters have issued several weather warnings for snow and ice, as wintry conditions overnight have caused chaos.

The Met Office has issued three yellow weather alerts for snow and ice covering the Midlands, northern England, parts of Northern Ireland and north east Wales.

Multiple payments can be received throughout the winter if there are several periods of freezing weather.

Last winter, nearly 500 postcodes received payments worth up to £75, while over 250 postcodes received similar amounts the year before.

The scheme operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, though Scotland has a separate Winter Heating Payment system.

The current payment marks the first wave of Cold Weather Payments for this winter season, with more areas potentially becoming eligible as temperatures continue to drop.

Full list of the first 18 postcodes eligible for a single cold weather payment worth £25:

• Carlisle: CA9-12, CA16-17
• Dumfries and Galloway: DG14
• Galashiels: TD9
• Lancaster: LA8-10, LA21-23
• Newcastle upon Tyne: NE19, NE47-NE49

It is estimated that around 10,000 people will receive the payment.

The twelve postcode areas in Cumbria to receive a payment include the Lakes, Kendal and Coniston, after freezing temperatures were recorded at the Shap weather centre. The payment was triggered on November 18.

Eligibility for Cold Weather Payments primarily depends on recipients being on specific benefits.

• Those receiving Pension Credit automatically qualify for the payment scheme.
• Universal Credit claimants are eligible if they are unemployed or considered "gainfully self-employed" and either have a health condition, disability, or a child under five.
• Income Support recipients qualify if they have a disability premium, pensioner premium, a disabled child, or a child under five.
• Similar criteria apply to those on Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• Support for Mortgage Interest recipients may also qualify if they have certain premiums or a disabled child.
• Those claiming Income Support, JSA or ESA with children under five must inform their local Jobcentre Plus to ensure payments.

Payments will be made automatically to eligible recipients' bank accounts within 14 working days of their postcode being triggered. The money will be paid into the same bank or building society account where benefits are normally received.

Recipients do not need to apply for the payment as the system works automatically for those who qualify.

Those who believe they should have received a payment but haven't should contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.

Residents can verify their eligibility and check if payments have been triggered in their area by visiting the official Government website at coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk.