Tackling Winter Fuel Poverty
in Epsom and Ewell

The Rotary Clubs of Epsom and Ewell are pleased to announce the seventh year of running PROJECT WENCESLAS in our area, a project that helps local people in fuel poverty. If you are in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment from the Government and can afford to pass it on to someone in need then the Rotary Clubs will gratefully receive your donation. 

All the money that you donate will be given without any deduction for expenses towards helping those in fuel debt or struggling with the cost of their electricity and gas bills. We are working in partnership on this with Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, who will be overseeing distribution to local people in fuel poverty and in need of assistance.

Rotarian Maureen Kilminster says ‘Although we live in a fairly affluent area, there are still people in the borough who need our help, particularly as the weather is turning colder and the need to keep warm becomes a necessity - please help if you can.’

If you would like to donate to Project Wenceslas you can download the form from Ewell Rotary  here

The Citizen Advice Factsheet on Winter Fuel Payments is below.

For information on support through this scheme, call Citizens Advice on 080 8278 7963 (Mon- Fri, 10am-4pm) or visit our website www.caee.org.uk

Here are some case studies about the Project Wenceslas Appeal

Some Case Studies

Winter Fuel Payments – Who is eligible and how do you claim it?

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter.  

If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. Find out more and how to apply here: www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.

You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you’re eligible and either:

• get the State Pension
• get another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit).

The amount you’ll get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits. Most payments are made automatically between November and December.

If you are eligible and need to make a claim you can either call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or download an application form from www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment