Surviving Winter

Helping People in Suffolk Stay Warm and Healthy This Winter

The Surviving Winter appeal is a fundraising initiative through Suffolk Community Foundation which relies on the generosity of householders to donate their ‘Winter Fuel Payment’ to support the most vulnerable households during the winter months. This programme will continue in 2023/24 and is available to residents across the whole of Suffolk with a payment of up to £175 towards fuel costs, or a delivery of fuel for households using Oil or LPG in their heating systems.

Apply for a Payment:

Applications are now open for the 2023/24 grant year.
This year, the Surviving Winter programme will prioritise working households, those who are in work but who still face financial hardship due to the lack of government support which is only available to those on means-tested benefits.

The Surviving Winter eligibility criteria for 2023/24 are:
  • Aged 65 or under
    (as people aged 66+ will receive the Winter Fuel Payment from the Government*)
  • Your combined household income must be less than £35,000
  • You must not be in receipt of any means-tested benefits
    (as you will receive the Cost of Living payments directly from DWP)
  • Your combined household savings must be less that £1,500
  • Your home address must be in Suffolk
If you believe that you are eligible for a Surviving Winter grant, please apply by completing the online form:

Click here to apply for a Surviving Winter grant

If you're unable to apply online, please contact Citizens Advice Ipswich who are administering the programme centrally for the whole of Suffolk on 01473 298 634.

* If a member of your household is 66, but born on or after 25/09/1957 and therefore won't receive the Winter Fuel Payment, please call us to explain this.

Please note that due to the popularity of the project it may take up to three weeks for your application to be processed. Thank you for your patience.

The Surviving Winter appeal:

Unbelievable as it may sound, an average of 347 vulnerable people in Suffolk die each year from causes directly attributable to the cold and poor living conditions. This is the tip of the iceberg – almost 75,000 households in Suffolk live in fuel poverty. Many suffer in silence during the coldest months, often hidden from view, withdrawn from the world around them.

With the continual support of the East Anglian Daily Times, Suffolk Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Appeal, now in its 9th year, raised over £350,000, and supported over 2,000 households during the harshest winter months last year. Lives have already been saved, but there is much more still to do.

With a target of £1,000,000 for this year’s appeal the aim is to ensure that many more people in our community don’t suffer from the cold this winter.

Suffolk Community Foundation is asking you to pledge your Winter Fuel Payment to help those desperately in need of extra support this winter.

Citizens Advice Ipswich provides administration for Surviving Winter applications.

The money raised by the Surviving Winter Appeal will be used in two ways:

  • Support payments to those who need additional financial help to heat their homes properly, eat properly, stay active and keep in touch with their family and community. The payments will be distributed in partnership with local Citizens Advice.
  • Grants to local charities and groups with a track record of looking after older and vulnerable people to ensure they can continue to provide their support and services throughout the winter months.

To Show Your Support

Donate by card by calling 01473 602602

Donate online at https://www.suffolkcf.org.uk

Donate by cheque – Payable to Suffolk Community Foundation, The Old Barns, Peninsula Business Centre, Wherstead, Ipswich, IP9 2BB

Donate in Person – head into any branch of Suffolk Building Society