Thousands of households across the UK are urged to check their bank statements for a six-digit code for a free £25 payment.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues Cold Weather Payments to eligible households to help pay their energy bills during bouts of very cold weather.

The payments are worth up to £25 per week and are triggered when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0C or below for seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to an eligible household’s postcode.

An estimated 10,000 people across 18 postcode areas can expect to receive Cold Weather Payments in the coming weeks after snow and ice swept much of the UK this week. The postcode areas where payments have already been triggered include:

• CA9 Leadgate, Cumbria

• CA10 Cliburn, Cumbria

• CA11 Catterlen, Cumbria

• CA12 Keswick, Cumbria

• CA16 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria

• CA17 Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

• LA8 Kendal, Cumbria

• LA9 Kendal, Cumbria

• LA10 Sedbergh, Cumbria

• LA21 Coniston, Cumbria

• LA22 Lakes, Cumbria

• LA23 Windermere, Cumbria

• NE19 Elsdon, Northumberland

• NE47 Allendale, Northumberland

• NE48 Bellingham, Northumberland

• NE49 Haltwhistle, Northumberland

• TD9 (parts on English side of border)

• DG14 (parts on English side of border)

The DWP will automatically issue the payments within 14 days of each seven-day period of cold weather into your bank account.

If you qualify for the cash, the DWP has said to look out for the six digit payment reference on your bank statement. This will start with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP CWP’ for people in England and Wales.

You will qualify for Cold Weather Payments if you’re claiming at least one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit

• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may also be eligible if you meet any of the following additional criteria:

• you have a disability or pensioner premium

• you have a child who is disabled

• you receive Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element

• you have a child under the age of five living with you

• you have a severe or enhanced disability premium

• you (or your partner if you have one) have a health condition or disability and have limited capacity for work

You don’t need to apply for the payment as it will be paid automatically if you’re eligible. If you think you’re entitled to the payment but you haven’t received it then you should contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus. You can also check if your area has had a cold weather payment by typing in your postcode on the government website.

If you get Universal Credit you can sign in to your account and add a note to your journal, or ring the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 if you don’t have an online account.