Energy Support Grant
Many people with the Late Effects of Polio or PPS experience challenges regulating body temperature. The Energy Support Grant provides help with the rising cost of heating and cooling the home, as well as other increased energy use related to disability.
What it can cover:
- Contributions towards home heating or cooling costs
- Support with energy-efficient equipment (such as heaters, fans, or electric blankets)
- Help with increased energy bills due to the use of medical or mobility equipment
Who can apply:
Polio survivors living in the UK who are current members of the British Polio Fellowship and have not received an Energy Support Grant within the last 12 months.
Grant amount: £100 (maximum)
Apply online
To apply online, please ensure you are signed in to the Membership Portal. If you’re not yet a member, please register to become a member.
Case Study
A Scottish polio survivor is 80 years old and has lived with mobility difficulties for most of his life. He contracted polio when he was one years old, which has affected his strength and movement.
Inside his home, he uses crutches to move around, and outside he uses a manual wheelchair. He has significant weakness in his right hip and low muscle strength in his abdomen. He also suffers from poor circulation in his legs, which means he often feels very cold, especially during the winter months.
He lives with his wife, and they rely mainly on their pensions and benefits for income. Although this helps, the couple still find it difficult to manage rising living costs, particularly the cost of heating their home. Because he feels cold most of the time due to his poor circulation, having a warm home is extremely important for his comfort and health.
He applied to the British Polio Fellowship for a energy grant in 2024 and evidenced why additional heating support would make a real difference. His application was successful and the grant helped to ease the financial pressure he was facing after keeping his home warm during the colder weather.