The specific payment of £70 is not currently an official, named, or widely advertised benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP, for the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
The DWP manages numerous benefits, and while an extra payment of around this amount may arise from a variety of sources, the most likely reasons you might see a payment close to this figure are related to two specific forms of ongoing support: the Cold Weather Payment or an increase in disability benefits.
It is possible that the amount you have seen mentioned is an old, incorrect reference, or that it relates to a payment amount in Scotland, where certain disability and heating benefits have been devolved.
Is the £70 payment an official DWP Cost of Living Payment?
No, the £70 amount is not part of the DWP’s previous series of Cost of Living Payments.
- Previous Payments: The DWP’s main Cost of Living Payments were for amounts of £301, £300, and £299, and the series of these flat rate payments has now ended.
- No New Payments Confirmed: The DWP has not announced any new national Cost of Living Payments for the 2025 to 2026 period.
If you have received an unannounced payment of around £70, you should check your bank account reference to determine the source.
Could the £70 be related to the Cold Weather Payment?
A payment of £70 is possible if your area experiences multiple cold spells, as the Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each cold period.
- Payment Amount: The Cold Weather Payment is paid at £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in your postcode area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below.
- Multiple Payments: If your area experienced three qualifying cold spells during the scheme period, you would automatically receive a total of £75 (£25 x 3). This figure is close to the £70 mentioned.
- Automatic Payment: This payment is made automatically within 14 working days of the cold spell ending, provided you receive a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or certain others.
If you have a genuine query about a Cold Weather Payment, you can check the government’s online postcode checker from November 2025 to see if a trigger was met in your area.
Is the £70 payment linked to disability benefits?
The closest ongoing weekly benefit rate to this figure is a component of certain disability payments, which may be paid as a lump sum or in arrears.
- Attendance Allowance: This benefit, for those over State Pension age who need care or supervision, has a lower weekly rate of £73.90 for 2025 to 2026. If you were paid two weeks in arrears, the amount would be around £147.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): The daily living part of PIP has a lower weekly rate of £73.90 for 2025 to 2026.
If you have recently made a new claim or had a review of one of these benefits, a payment of a slightly different amount may be an arrears payment.
What does the £70 payment relate to in Scotland?
The Scottish Government has replaced some DWP benefits with its own payments, and the amount may originate from this source.
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP): This Scottish benefit is replacing the DWP’s Attendance Allowance in Scotland. The lower weekly rate is £73.90 for 2025 to 2026.
- Transfer Payments: The DWP continues to pay Attendance Allowance until a person is transferred to PADP in 2025. A payment of around £70 could be an adjustment or a short-term payment related to this process.
If you live in Scotland, you should check for communications from Social Security Scotland for payment details.
How can I check the exact source of an extra DWP payment?
The best way to confirm the source of any unannounced money in your account is to check the payment reference used by the DWP.
- Check Your Bank Statement: Look for the payment reference next to the deposit.
- Common DWP References:
- ‘DWP COL’: Cost of Living Payments (now discontinued).
- ‘DWP WFP’: Winter Fuel Payment.
- ‘DWP CWP’: Cold Weather Payment.
- ‘DWP AA’: Attendance Allowance.
- Contact Your Benefit Office: If the reference is unclear, you should contact the benefit helpline for the payment you receive, such as the Pension Service or Universal Credit helpline, and ask them to confirm the transaction.
