Residents urged not to miss out on heating oil help

15/06/26

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have joined forces with local Citizens Advice services to reach residents who may be missing out on financial help with heating oil – having already helped households unlock £100k in unclaimed benefits over the last year. 

The councils are now writing to residents who heat their homes with oil and may be eligible for help but have not yet accessed it. This follows confirmation from the Government in March of more than £50 million in funding for low-income households who use oil to provide hot water and heat their homes, recognising the sharp and ongoing increases in fuel prices.

Heating oil support can be accessed locally through Suffolk County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which replaced the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme on 1 April 2026.  Residents struggling with essential costs or heating oil may be eligible for a crisis payment or a specific heating oil payment.

The councils’ targeted approach, in partnership with local Citizens Advice, reflects growing evidence that many households nationally are missing out on financial support they are entitled to. 

The campaign builds on the work already carried out by the councils’ Cost of Living team helping residents understand what help is available and assist with applications.

Over the past year, the team has contacted more than 650 households about benefits or support they may have been missing out on, helping residents overcome barriers such as uncertainty about eligibility, complex application processes and digital exclusion.  This work has generated almost £100,000 in additional income for local households, often delivering ongoing longer term financial benefits.

Cllr Alastair McCraw, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for performance and resilience, said: “Our rural communities have a greater reliance on heating oil than other areas of the country, plus we have a higher-than-average elderly population. 

“People shouldn’t be missing out just because they are struggling to understand how to access financial support that they are entitled to. This is a fantastic example of where our council is working in partnership with our Citizen Advice colleagues to make a real difference to people’s quality of life.”

Cllr Andy Mellen, Mid Suffolk District Council leader and cabinet member for performance and resilience, said: “I’m delighted that our team are in a position to help those most in need with targeted support. 

“Now our focus is on easing the emotional and financial strain for eligible households otherwise unable to heat their homes or water due to the surging cost of domestic heating oil.”

Jess Mason, Chief Officer Sudbury and South Suffolk Citizens Advice, says: “Heating oil costs can create sudden and significant pressure for households, particularly where large upfront payments are needed. We’re working closely with the councils to make sure people understand what support is available and have help to access it.”

Simon Clifton, Chief Officer Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk, added: “We’d encourage anyone that isn’t sure if they are eligible for support to get in touch with us. Our advisors can check what you might be entitled to and help you with the application. Even if you only receive a small amount of benefits, it can make you eligible for other support so it’s worth checking.” 

Residents can check eligibility details and apply for support via the Crisis and Resilience Fund page on the Suffolk County Council website or contact their local Citizens Advice for help with applications, whether or not they have been contacted by the councils.

Information on community oil buying schemes, interest free loans and energy advice is also available on the energy, fuel and utilities pages on the Babergh and Mid Suffolk council websites.  

Residents receiving a letter from the councils’ Cost of Living team can verify its legitimacy by calling Customer Services on 0300 1234 000. 