These are difficult times financially for everyone with higher shopping, energy and other everyday bills. Remember that help and support is available, whatever your situation. Here are some useful resources to help you keep warm and well this winter.
Help with energy bills
- Warm Home Discount Scheme – a one-off discount of £150 off your electricity bill. Visit this website for more information www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
- Winter Fuel Payment – an automatic payment of up to £300 if you were born before 22 September 1959. See www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
- Cold Weather Payments – paid for periods of very cold weather lasting 7 days or more between 1 November and 31 March for people on certain benefits. See www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment for more information.
- Energy supplier grants – some energy suppliers have their own funds to support households in arrears with their energy bills. The British Gas Energy Trust gives grants to anyone, not just their customers. For more information contact your local Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- For energy saving tips visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy
Additional help for Homeowners is available through the Government’s Help to Heat schemes which help low income homeowners receive help with boiler upgrades, insulation and warm home grants. www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat
Reduced Social Tariffs
Reduced tariffs are available for your water, broadband and phone contracts. More information can be found at www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/your-water-company/contact-companies and www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs
Warm Welcome Spaces
Give yourself a financial health check
See if there are any benefits you may be entitled to using this free calculator www.entitledto.co.uk and check what other support is available from your local council www.gov.uk/find-local-council
If you have bills or owe money that you can’t afford get some free, independent debt advice from a regulated service such as those below. A debt advisor can help you get some breathing space to manage your situation better and work out the best way forward.
- Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Christians Against Poverty www.capuk.org/get-help/cap-debt-help
- Step Change www.stepchange.org
Warm Welcome Spaces provide a warm and safe place you can go on your own or with a friend, and talk to others over a hot drink and maybe a slice of cake. Run in partnership with other local organisations, each Space offers different facilities which might include access to free WiFi and computer equipment; clubs, crafts and courses; and training, advice and support. To find your nearest Warm Welcome Space visit www.warmwelcome.uk
Avoid loan sharks
Loan sharks take advantage of people when they are struggling and feel they have nowhere else to turn. If you are offered money with little paperwork but high charges, say no and report it to www.stoploansharks.co.uk
How we can help you
Our team here at Willow Tree Housing Partnership are always here to help you, whatever your situation. If you are worried about money or have any questions you want to ask, please call us on 01934 750780 or email customerservices@willowtreehousing.org.uk
We can help you:
- make payment arrangements you can manage with any rent arrears
- access financial support and money advice
- by providing foodbank vouchers
- get access to grants including Discretionary Housing Payments
- complete an application for our own Hardship Fund, which can be used in exceptional cases of financial hardship to provide small scale, short term support for things like essential furniture and white goods, emergency gas and electricity payments
Further advice and support
- Foodbanks – find your local foodbank here www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-afoodbank
- Community Fridges – open to all and anyone can share or take food, including surplus from supermarkets and local food businesses, try these links to find your nearest community fridge www.communityfridgemap.org.uk/directory www.hubbub.org.uk/community-fridge-network
- Household Support Fund – see if your local council can help with essential costs such as energy, water, food and essential items www.gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council
- Information on other grants available – www.turn2us.org.uk
- Recycled / low cost goods – www.furniturereuse.charity, www.reuse-network.org.uk/find-items, www.emmaus.org.uk/your-local-emmaus, www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/pass-it-on
- Repair cafes – local cafes with tools and materials to help you repair clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bikes, toys etc www.repaircafe.org/en/visit
