The Wiltshire Surviving Winter Grant 2022/23 scheme opened in November 2022 through Age UK Wiltshire and we are keen to receive applications for new applicants! We still have plenty of grants available so are actively encouraging applications.
This scheme is provided through Wiltshire Community Foundation which continues to help 1000s of vulnerable households in Wiltshire and Swindon living in fuel poverty by providing a one-off grant towards heating-related costs. Age UK Wiltshire, Swindon Citizens Advice (https://www.citizensadviceswindon.org.uk/), Wiltshire Citizens Advice (https://www.citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk/) and Warm & Safe Wiltshire (https://www.warmandsafewiltshire.org.uk/) are partner organisations and can help people apply. The scheme is likely to remain open until the end of March 2022 (but may close sooner if all grants are distributed).
Clients could be eligible for a grant through Age UK Wiltshire if they meet the below criteria (other partners have different criteria):
- Over State Pension age and
- Receive a means-tested benefit or have annual income (excluding disability benefits) below £16,996 (single person household) / £26,113 (couples or larger households) and
- Experiencing, or at risk of, fuel poverty (we consider your heating needs, usage and difficulties in maintaining a warm home)
- Can provide supporting evidence of their low income or means-tested benefit, such as a bank statement or a benefit award letter.
Applications are being processed by the Information & Advice team and we’ve aimed to streamline the process for clients so it is not too involved. When an application form is received we process the application form and evidence and then complete an income maximisation check before having a holistic conversation to include discussion about their fuel usage to establish if they may be experiencing fuel poverty.
As internal staff and services, you are welcome to help your clients complete the application form and collate evidence, which can really help us in processing the client’s application more quickly. (Please do not share the application form externally with other organisations.) A PDF of the application form is available on Sharepoint Services Page, in the I&A Quick Access Box , under ‘Funded Projects / Winter’ section:> APPLICATION FORM: Surviving Winter Grant 2022/2023 (full version pdf)
For working age clients they should apply through one of the other partner organisations listed above, such as Warm & Safe Wiltshire 0800 038 5722, and the criteria will be slightly different.
There is the Surviving Winter Grant page on Age UK Wiltshire website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/our-services/surviving-winter/ and I attach a flyer. We would be grateful if you could pass this information on to any clients and organisations that you work with that may find it helpful. Please let us know if you need any further information.