Winter Support Fund
Winter can be tough for the cystic fibrosis (CF) community. The high cost of living means some people affected by CF are struggling to eat properly, to heat their home or to buy household essentials. This puts their health at risk. To help protect the health of people with CF who are most in need through the winter ahead, we are providing extra financial help through our Winter Support Fund 2026–27.
-
What is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Winter Support Fund?
Through the Winter Support Fund we can provide a one-off grant of £225 to adults and children with CF in low-income households. This will be split over three months, with a payment of £75 each month in December, January and February.
The Winter Support Fund can help you to keep warm and well this winter if you are unable to afford the basics you need to stay well with CF. You can use the grant for food and basic essentials to protect your health during the winter.
We will contact all applicants to offer more support. We can tell you about other places that could help you with your energy bills and offer you an appointment with our Welfare team to check you are getting all the financial support you should be.
-
Who can apply?
We can only help people who:
- receive specialist CF care in the UK and
- are on means-tested benefits or
- are in a financial crisis.
You can apply if you care for someone who fits the above, for example if you have a child with CF in your household.
We aim to help those most in need, which means we target our fund at low-income households, and those who are most vulnerable. A few examples of when we might be able to help are:
- If you are having to choose between heating and eating.
- If you are going without heating or living with cold and damp because of high energy costs.
- If you are unable to buy the food you need.
- If you are missing hospital appointments due to the costs.
- If you are unwell or at risk of becoming unwell because you can’t afford enough food or heating over winter.
These are just some examples, your situation may be different. Please tell us about this in the application form.
-
How can I apply?
Applications are now open and will close on 30 November 2026. We may need to close before this date if we get a lot of applications, so please send your application to us as soon as possible.
- Download and fill in the application form. Make sure you’ve included all of the information we ask for. It’s important that you include your email address and check your bank details are correct.
- Send your application form to your CF team so that they can fill in the supporting statement
- When your team has filled out the supporting statement they should email the form to us at [email protected]
- We will be in touch in early December to let you know the outcome. Please don’t contact us for an update, unless you need to update or change your application.
We can’t accept applications by post but our Helpline team can help with filling in forms over the phone. Get in touch if you need any help to fill in the form or have any questions.
- call 0300 373 1000
- email [email protected]
- WhatsApp on 07361 582053
We’re open Monday–Friday 10am–4pm.
If you are in a financial emergency and need a grant urgently, please speak to our Helpline team before applying as you may want to apply for an emergency grant instead.
-
Does the application need a supporting statement?
Yes. A member of your CF team will need to write a supporting statement in section 4 of the form. They can also email it to us from their professional email account. It is important that you tell your CF team if you’re struggling to afford the basics you need to stay well with CF.
-
How much is the grant?
If your application is successful, we will give you £225 over three months, with a payment of £75 each month in December, January and February. We are aiming to support people with cystic fibrosis that are most in need this winter.
Please remember that if you send us an application, that does not mean that you will definitely be given the grant. If we can’t give you a grant this time, you can still apply for our grants in the future.
-
When will I receive the grant?
We will be in touch within a few weeks to let you know we have received your application. You don’t need to contact us unless you need to make any changes to your application. At the start of December once the fund has closed to new applications, we’ll let you know if your application has been accepted.
If your application is successful you will receive:
- £75 between 14 and 18 December 2026
- £75 between 11 and 15 January 2027
- £75 between 15 and 19 February 2027
To make sure we can help as many people as possible, your household can only apply once this winter. Applications close on 30 November 2026. We will not be able to accept any applications after this date. We may have to close the fund early if we get a lot of applications.
If you are in a financial emergency and need a grant urgently, please speak to our Helpline team before applying as you may want to apply for an emergency grant instead
-
Who should complete the application form?
The Winter Support Fund is open to adults and children with cystic fibrosis who meet the eligibility criteria above. Our support is focused on low-income households.
The following people can complete the form:
- adults with CF
- parents/carers of children with CF
- any member of their CF team.
The ‘applicant’ is always the person living with CF. If the applicant is over 18 and is not filling out the form themselves, they need to know that the application is being made for them.
Please provide an email address on the application form. We will use this to update you on your application and offer you extra support. If you don’t have an email address, please contact our Helpline before applying.
-
How often can I apply?
The Winter Support Fund is a one-off grant. Please only send one application per household.
-
I have a question. Can I speak to someone?
Yes. Please contact our Helpline if you have any questions. Our Helpline team can also help you fill in the grant application form and give you information about other ways you can get help, including our Welfare Advice services.
How to contact the Helpline
Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053
You might also be interested in
Financial support
We provide a range of grants and support for people with cystic fibrosis and their families.
Helpline
Contact our friendly Helpline team by telephone or email, Monday to Friday, for answers to your questions.
Information
Check out our free, balanced information on all aspects of life with CF.