Surviving Winter grants for heating bills

Vulnerable households can get help with fuel and heating bills from Surviving Winter. This is a national not-for-profit organisation that partners with local charities and foundations to provide grants to senior citizens as well as older people for heating costs. They collect donations from people who do not need, or will not use, their Winter Fuel Allowance, and the funds are then given to less vulnerable households.

There are millions of elderly living in fuel poverty across the UK. Thousands will often die during the winter months due to being unable to keep their home or flat warm. These individuals can seek help for heating bills in arrears or energy conservation from the Surviving Winter charity organisations, and the numbers of Community Foundations to call are below.

This aid is available as the result of people contributing their Winter Fuel Allowance to those that are less fortunate. The funds are then provided to local authorities and charities, who have an application process in place for vulnerable people to apply at. Over the years there have been tens of households that have receive assistance and have been able to keep their heat on as the result of funds from the Surviving Winter programme.

There is an annual campaign in which local and national charities collect the Winter Fuel Allowance from individuals that either do not use it all, or that feel they do not need the money. Some people are fortunate or do not need all of the government money, so rather than waste it, they can donate the excess.

Or people can just make a one-off donation to the campaign, and anyone can contribute at any time. The money will be used to help the vulnerable heat their homes properly, stay warm and safe. All monies donated go straight to Surviving Winter or its partners go to those in need and not administrative costs.

Unfortunately, each year thousands of senior citizens get ill, or even die, from the lack of heat. Many older people live in fuel poverty as their income does not support both paying for heating or gas bills and buying the food they need. It therefore can make it difficult for many vulnerable individuals to survive the winter. By making a donation of up to £300, or contributing a Winter Fuel Allowance, this will go a long way to helping older people deal with rising energy costs and help them stay warm.

Not only can the donation do directly to paying bills, but is can also pay for research into the causes of fuel poverty, energy efficiency, advice for the poor, and more. The aim is to increase support and assistance for vulnerable groups across the UK. There are also warmth packs and blankets, repairs to homes, and more paid for by the grants.

Apply for Surviving Winter grants or donate

The community foundations run the programmes in cities and towns across the UK. Every pound donated to the not-for-profit organisation reached a vulnerable person in fuel poverty. There are local charitable organisations that offer the grants for heating bills, community centres, churches, and even groups like lunch clubs. To donate, or get a referral to an application site for an extra Winter Fuel Allowance payment, call a charity below.

• Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation can be called at 01234-834930.
• Berkshire – Telephone – 0118 930 3021.
• Heart of Bucks – Buckinghamshire Community Foundation both collects money and issues grants from Surviving Winter. Call 01296 330134.
• Birmingham & Black Country – Ring 0121 322 5560 for information.
• Cambridgeshire – Telephone – 01223 410535.
• Cornwall residents call 01884 235887.
• Community Foundation for Lancashire, call 0151 232 2414.
• Devon Community Foundation is at Tiverton. Seniors can dial 01884 235887.
• Dorset Chair of Trustees – Telephone – 01202 292255.
• County Durham – For information on applying for grans or to donate, call 0191 378 6340.
• Essex Community Foundation – Phone 01245 355947.
• Gloucestershire Community Foundation – Phone 01242 851 357.
• Heart of England in Coventry – Telephone – 02476 883297.
• Hereford – Ring 01432 272550 for information.
• Hertfordshire Community Foundation – Phone 01707 251351
• Kent – For details on Surviving Winter, call 01303 814 500.
• Community Foundation for Lancashire – Main phone 0151 232 2444.
• Leicestershire and Rutland – Telephone: 0116 2624 916
• Leeds – Phone 0113 242 2426.
• Lincolnshire – Low income families call 01529 305 825.
• Forever Manchester has a post of 2nd Floor, 8 Hewitt Street. Help for heating bills and referrals are available at 0161 214 0940.
• Community Foundation for Merseyside – Telephone: 0151 232 2444.
• Milton Keynes area – Call 01908 690276.
• Norfolk and Whitefriars region – Tel: 01603 623958.
• Northamptonshire Community Foundation – Telephone: 01604 230033.
• One Community supports West Yorkshire County. Elderly households ring (01484) 468397 for donation or to apply for Winter Fuel Allowance.
• Oxfordshire Community Foundation – Phone: 0117 989 7700.
• South Yorkshire – Phone 0114 242 4857.
• Staffordshire Community Foundation – Tel: 01785 353789.
• Suffolk – Vulnerable that need help can drop in at The Old Barns, Peninsula Business Centre in Ipswich.
• Surrey – To donate an extra fuel allowance, or apply for a grant for heating costs, the phone is 01483 409230.
• Sussex – Phone 01273 409440.
• Two Ridings Community Foundation has a phone number of 01759 377400.
• Tyne & Wear and Northumberland area – 0191 222 0945.
• The Community Foundation in Wales supports the entire nation. They collect donations, and can refer seniors and the poor to charities for the Winter Fuel Allowance. Telephone number is 02920 379580.
• Wiltshire area – Ring 01380 729284.
• Worcestershire Community Foundation has a phone of 01684 312752.