Inability to cool homes in summer heat making almost 90% of Centrelink recipients ill, survey finds

A third of those polled said they had sought medical care for heat stress while others who had air conditioning avoided using it due to cost of electricity

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Nearly 90% of people on income support payments say the inability to cool their homes in hot weather is making them sick, and even those who have air conditioning avoid using it because it is too expensive, a survey by Australian Council of Social Service has found.

Acoss polled 208 recipients of Centrelink payments in January about their experience of high heat at home, their ability to cool their homes, how the heat affected their physical and mental health, and the costs of their energy bills.

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