A new payment scheme to support Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit claimants during summer heatwaves has been proposed by experts. The discussions come as the UK experiences more frequent periods of extreme heat, raising calls for financial relief similar to the existing Cold Weather Payment programme.
Cold Weather Payment Scheme as a Model
The Cold Weather Payment scheme currently provides one-off £25 payments to eligible claimants when temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days. This scheme operates from November 1 to March 31 each year, and multiple payments can be made if cold spells occur repeatedly in a specific area. Qualifying benefits include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance, subject to additional conditions.
Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at debt support group Money Wellness, highlighted that extreme heat can impose unavoidable extra costs on households. She stated: "A Warm Weather Payment might sound unnecessary, but for some households, extreme heat brings unavoidable extra costs. Older people, disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, pregnant women, families with young children and people taking certain medications can all be more vulnerable during heatwaves."
Proposed Warm Weather Payment
Lamb explained that keeping homes cool, using fans more often, increasing water use, and storing medicines safely can all add to household bills. She added: "As our summers become hotter and heatwaves more frequent, it's reasonable to ask whether financial support should evolve to reflect the costs of extreme weather, not just freezing temperatures."
However, she cautioned against simply mirroring the Cold Weather Payment structure. Instead, she argued: "Rather than simply mirroring the Cold Weather Payment, any support should be targeted at households most vulnerable to both the health risks and the financial impact of extreme heat."
Current Support Options
Currently, there is no Warm Weather Payment or equivalent DWP scheme. Claimants facing higher costs during hot weather must rely on existing benefits or local council support, such as the Crisis and Resilience Fund. The DWP has been asked for comment on whether it has considered introducing such a scheme.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme operates only in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, a separate Winter Heating Payment of £62 is provided to eligible claimants regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, DWP claimants may receive other winter support, including the Winter Fuel Payment (worth £100 to £300) and the Warm Home Discount (a £150 rebate deducted from electricity bills for eligible customers whose suppliers participate).
