Surviving Winter

The Surviving Winter Fund offers financial support to the people most at risk in Cornwall, helping them to stay warm, active and healthy. These funds can be accessed through a wide range of referral agencies throughout the county and are to help households genuinely in need of support. This year the Surviving Winter Fund has been supported by Household Support Funding to reach even more vulnerable households. Organisations can apply for between £500 and £5,000 depending on capacity. They then distribute funds at their discretion to people most at risk, to help them stay well and warm during the winter months. These are normally people who already use the organisation's service and are known to them. Small amounts of money, usually £50 to a maximum of £175 for households without children, £250 for households with up to 3 children and £300 for households with four or more children, are distributed to vulnerable individuals. The types of support that can be offered include cash awards, vouchers, and tangible items such as clothing or household items. Eligible spend includes food, energy and water costs, essentials linked to energy and water such as insulation or energy efficient items, wider essentials including bills, clothing, hygiene products and essential transport costs, and in exceptional cases housing costs.