Cost of Living Support
Are you struggling with the cost of living crisis? You may be eligible for the financial support.
We know people are worried about rising costs and may be struggling. Southend City Council has produced a summary of services which may be able to help you during this difficult time. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
They will update this section as more support and funding becomes available.
The website covers services such as:
- National cost of living support
- Help for households campaign
- Benefits and maximising income
- Food and fuel
- Energy costs
- Housing cost - rented accommodation
- Council tax reduction - making claims
- Rent arrears
- Debt, income and financial support
- Mental health
- Free computer and internet access
- Livewell Southend
Very Brief Intervention
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Are you struggling with the cost of living crisis? You may be eligible for the financial support on this section of our website.
We know people are worried about rising costs and may be struggling.
We've produced a summary of our services which may be able to help you during this difficult time.
See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
Act
National cost of living support
Cost of Living Support announced with effect from 25 May 2022 -Â Cost of living support factsheet: 26 May 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Help for Households Campaign
The Government's Help for Households Campaign is offering support to help you prepare for a challenging winter. Make sure you're ready by finding out what you're entitled to.
Benefits
Unsure what benefits you can claim, complete this online calculator with your current information to find out what and how you can claim.
Pension Credit
If you are of pensioner age and not in receipt of Pension Credit use this online calculator to see if you are eligible, this could boost your income up to £3,300 a year Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK
Food and fuel
There are a few ways you can access food and fuel if you find yourself in need.
Citizens Advice Southend may be able to help with food vouchers or to access with assistance for switching fuel provider and reviewing hardship.
- Email:Â southendinfo@citizensadvicesouthend.org.uk
- Direct telephone number: 01702 456352 or 01702 456366
The Essential Living Fund may be able to help with short term one off emergencies with a food and fuel award.
Foodbanks give free food to people who are struggling financially. Visit the Trussell Trust to find a foodbank near you.
The Salvation Army also offers emergency assistance to people in need.
These voluntary and community organisations can help you to access support with food, fuel and essential items. You get help by contacting the organisation directly.
Energy costs
Council Tax energy rebate scheme of £150
The Government have provided a support package to help households with the increase in energy cost, please see our Council tax rebate of £150 pages to see if you are entitled.
Local Energy Advice Programme
Our LEAP page has more information on this programme if you are struggling to pay your bills and find your home is cold LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme).
Warmer Homes
The scheme aims to help low-income homes keep warm by improving the energy efficiency rating and reducing energy bills.
It is open for households with a yearly income under £30,000 and the energy efficiency rating of the house must be E, F or G.
For more information please see the Warmer Homes website.
Energy saving tips
Visit Energy Saving Trust to find out how you can save money on your energy bills.
Water
Anglian Water’s specially trained extra care support team can create personalised payment plans to help our customers budget, provide some breathing space if they need some extra time to pay, as well as guide them towards other help and benefits available
They also provide a range of free practical support services through their Priority Services Register. Priority Services in place to help lots of people with different needs and is completely free. By signing up, they are made aware of a customer’s circumstance (for example, if they’re living with a disability or going through a life change) and can tailor services to better support peoples needs.
- prioritise their needs if there’s an interruption to their water supply
- help protect customers against bogus callers
- communicate in different languages, including British Sign Language
- send bills in alternative formats, including large print, audio and braille
- knock and wait, giving customers longer to get to the door
Avoid and report energy scams
Scammers may sometimes contact you pretending to be from Ofgem. For example, a scammer might call saying they are from Ofgem, suggest you switch and then ask for your bank details. There may also be scams which claim to offer discounts on energy bills.Â
For more information and to see how to report a scam, please see this page on the Ofgem website Avoid and report energy scams Â
Housing cost - rented accommodation
If you are living in rented accommodation and on a low income you may be entitled to help with your housing costs, depending on your circumstances you may have to make this claim from the Department of Works and Pension or the Local Council.
Council tax reduction - making claims
Has your income decreased and now you are struggling to pay your Council Tax Bill, you could be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax.
Rent arrears - discretionary housing payments
If you have a rent a top up that you are unable to pay or you considering moving to a more affordable rented accommodation? You may be entitled to help from the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme if you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit or receive the Housing Element in your Universal Credit Payment.
Debt, income and financial support
Our Managing Debt page has details of various money advice support groups.
Citizens Advice Southend can help with Debt advice, maximisation of income, help to claim Universal Credit:
- Email address:Â southendinfo@citizensadvicesouthend.org.uk
- Direct telephone number: 01702 456352 or 01702 456366
Mental health
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