DWP Urged to Pay Six Benefits 'In Advance' in Cold Weather Shake-Up
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is under significant pressure to overhaul its Cold Weather Payments system, with calls to make payments in advance rather than retroactively once temperature thresholds are met. This proposed shake-up aims to provide timely support to vulnerable households during periods of extreme cold.
Current System and Proposed Changes
Currently, Cold Weather Payments are triggered automatically when temperatures drop to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. Eligible low-income households then receive a £25 payment to assist with energy bills. So far this winter, approximately 1.5 million households across England and Wales have benefited from these payments.
However, Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, is advocating for a more proactive approach. He proposes that payments should be made daily during extreme cold spells and, crucially, in advance based on weather forecasts. Under this new system, individuals receiving six qualifying benefits would receive support on every day the Met Office predicts temperatures of -4°C or lower for the following day.
Qualifying Benefits and Impact
The six benefits eligible for Cold Weather Payments include:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (subject to specific criteria)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit (as listed separately in some contexts)
Francis emphasized the urgent need for this change, citing data on cold weather deaths from the previous year. He stated, “The data lays bare the awful reality that far too many pensioners are still trapped in cold, damp homes that put their health and lives at risk.” He attributed this crisis to volatile gas prices, poor housing quality, and inadequate support, noting that the situation worsened in 2024/25 due to decisions to remove winter fuel payments from many pensioners.
Call for Action
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has urged ministers to treat fuel poverty as a “public emergency” and called on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to prioritize efforts to tackle cold homes. Francis warned, “We warned this would leave vulnerable older people exposed, and these figures show the deadly consequences of failing to protect those most at risk.” The proposed advance payment system is seen as a critical step in providing immediate relief and preventing further health risks during harsh winter conditions.
