Winter support appeal after fuel allowance cut

A charity said many older people would be choosing whether to "heat or eat" this winter

A charity that helps vulnerable older people to "survive winter" said its grants and advice were needed more than ever after the government cut winter fuel allowances.

Suffolk Community Foundation has launched the 14th year of its annual Surviving Winter appeal.

The winter fuel payment was previously paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills. However, in July, the government said it would only be made to those on low incomes who received certain benefits, later citing that it needed to fill a £22bn black hole left behind by the Conservatives.

The charity said it used to partly rely on those who did not need the payment donating it to the organisation.

The Suffolk charity said its campaign "has taken on even more importance than ever this year as an estimated 90% of older people living in the county are due to lose the winter fuel payment following changes to government policy".

"This also means Suffolk Community Foundation can no longer raise funds by asking people who do not need the payment to consider donating it to help others instead."

Its interim chief executive, Anna Hughes, said: "Surviving Winter is now in its 14th year and has raised more than £1.5m so far.

"This has provided a lifeline for many thousands of people by helping them to stay safe and warm as the weather turns colder.

Difficult decisions

Ms Hughes said with the new government changes to the allowance, "many older people are extremely anxious about the high cost of energy and are having to make difficult choices between heating and eating every single day".

"The changes that are being made nationally mean that the need for support is now even greater than ever," she said.

"But Surviving Winter can help – which is why we are appealing to anyone who feels able to donate to consider doing so.

"A gift of £175 could help someone pay for gas or electricity, while £350 could provide 500 litres of heating oil."

The charity said that anyone aged 66 and above who lives in Suffolk and would not be receiving pension credit would be eligible to apply for a Surviving Winter grant.

"You must have an income of no more than £20,000 (single) or £24,000 (double) and savings of no more than £5,000," it added.