Nearly 85 polio survivors from across the UK received financial support from the British Polio Fellowship’s (BPF) Heating Grant scheme, to help with rising energy costs.
These grants assist individuals living with Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) who do not qualify for the government's Winter Fuel Payment. One of the many debilitating symptoms of PPS is severe cold intolerance—not just feeling chilly, but experiencing pain, numbness, and discomfort. While increasing indoor heating helps alleviate these symptoms, it also leads to higher energy bills.
The BPF Heating Grants offer crucial financial relief, ensuring polio survivors can afford extra warmth during the winter months.
People with disabilities and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to cold-related health risks, including hypothermia. While most people can add extra layers or use blankets for warmth, those with PPS face greater challenges. Unlike others who may rely on movement to generate body heat, polio survivors must carefully manage physical activity to avoid strain or injury. For those with limited mobility—whether using wheelchairs or walking aids—staying warm through movement is not an option.
Additionally, people with PPS not only feel the cold more intensely but also take longer to regain lost body heat. A drop in temperature from the normal 36–37°C can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening.
Many in the polio community have been forced to cut back on energy use due to rising costs. The thought of them enduring the cold or skipping hot meals to save money is deeply concerning.
In response, the BPF Board of Trustees approved £120 grants for each of the 74 eligible applicants this year. These grants were made possible by generous donations to the 2024 BPF Winter Warmth Appeal.
A further ten applicants who did not qualify for a BPF Heating Grant, but were felt to be in severe need, were made a special ‘one-off’ payment of £120 towards heating bills.
The BPF has provided financial support to thousands of polio survivors across the UK over the years. This year’s grants were distributed at the end of January.
Applications for Heating Grants are currently closed but will reopen in October 2025.
FACTSHEET: Heat and cold intolerance (thermoregulation)
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