Cost of Living (Financial Inclusion)
Overall, nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK adults have been concerned about a friend, family member or colleague’s mental wellbeing, linked to money worries
Of those who have been worried, the most common signs include changes in mood and temperament trouble sleeping, and being anxious, stressed or lacking in confidence to contact the bank.
You can use the MECC approach to look out for these signs and enable people to access help, guidance and advice on mental health, debt and money management. There is a wide range of guidance available from the Money Helper website which will have incorporated into MECC Link.
This section also provides local support and contact details for organisations that can help with the cost of living.
Very Brief Intervention
Ask
Do you have any worries relating to money, budgeting, borrowing or debt?
For Budgeting
How confident are you about a budget setting, sticking to it and how to save?
Did you know that Money Helper website provides a range of management tips, including how to set up a budget, sticking to it and how to save, would you like some further information on this?
For Debt
Did you know that the Money Helper website offers a range of free advice on anything that you might be struggling to pay for, would you like some information on this?
Did you know that there is lots of free debt advice services available across the UK, would you like further information on these?
For Borrowing
Before borrowing money have you considered if
- You need to spend the money
- You have other ways of financing the purchase, and
- You can afford to pay back the money you’re planning to borrow
If you need to borrow money, have you considered the cost of borrowing and where you would source this from?
The Money Helper service has advice on different sources of borrowing as well as advice on good debt and bad debt, would you like some further information on this?
- Empathise that its normal to worry about money issues but reassure that there is lots of free help available - See ACT section for details of other organisations that provide free debt advice
For Rising Cost of Energy
Many people are concerned about the rising cost of energy, would you like some further information on what support is available to you?
Did you know that the energy price cap only applies to the units you use, it doesn't mean that energy bills are capped at 2.5k?
- To avoid any confusion confirm that the price cap only applies to the unit cost of energy, Not your total bill. The 2.5K is what an average household will pay, so if you use more than this, your will pay more than this.
Assist
For Budgeting
Taking the time to manage your money better can really pay off. It can help you stay on top of your bills and save £1,000s each year, would you like some helpful information on managing your money?
Beginner's guide to managing your money | MoneyHelper
For Debt and Borrowing
Would you like some information on that could assist you with paying for household bills?
Would you like some further information on the many different free and recommended debt advice service that are available either nationally or locally? - See Act section
- Re-assure them that the debt adviser will never judge them or make them feel bad about their situation and that they will work with the person to find way find ways to manage their debts even if they think they have no spare money.
- Re-assure them that most people who have get debt advice feel less stressed or anxious and more in control of their life again.
For the Rising cost of Energy
You do not need to apply for the discount, and there’s no need to contact your energy supplier. This aspect is very important if you get a message about applying for this asking for your bank details, this could be a scam.
The discount will be applied to your monthly household electricity bill for 6 months starting in October 2022. You’ll get:
- £66 in October and November
- £67 in December, January, February and March
You’ll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card.
Act
National Support Services
The Money Helper Service (Government backed service)
Free and impartial money advice, set up by government
- Advice and guides to help improve your finances
- Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
- Support over the phone and online
Tel: 0800 1387777
*Calls are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.
Web: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Webchat: Got a question? We will point you in the right direction. You can start a Webchat online to talk to us live.
Webchat opening hours
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
- Saturday, 8am to 3pm
- Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed.
WhatsApp: Need help sorting out your debts, have credit questions or want pensions guidance? You can talk to us live on WhatsApp.
- Add +44 77 0134 2744 to your WhatsApp and send us a message.
- For everything else please contact us via Webchat or phone.
Citizens Advice Service
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to
Tel: 03444 111 444
Web: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/
National Debtline
National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They'll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.
Tel:
Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.
Tel: 0800 622 61 51
Web: http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/
Credit Unions
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
Web: https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/
Rising cost of Energy
If you are struggling to pay for energy or think you may get into difficulty, contact your supplier.
The energy regulator rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford and you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t top up.
Save money off your Gas Bill
Turning down a single setting will make your boiler work more efficiently, saving around £112 a year for the average household. It only takes a few minutes to lower your flow temperature, and it can be changed back instantly. There’s nothing to lose by trying it. Advice from Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good.
Local Support and Contact Details
We've put together lots of useful information and advice on the Community Action Derby website to help with rising costs including:
- housing and rental support
- food, clothing, toiletries and furniture needs
- help paying your bills
- debt support
- how to increase your income
- health and wellbeing.
If you can't find what you are looking for on the Community Action Derby website, telephone 01332 346266 between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email support@communityactionderby.org.uk.
There's also textphone for those who are hard of hearing: 07490 341 584
Cost of living - Derbyshire County Council
From advice around welfare rights and benefits, to support for families, people with long-term health conditions and carers. We've also got advice on how to become more energy efficient, reduce food waste and information about local food support projects.
It's worth remembering that all our libraries across the county offer warm and welcoming spaces for everybody, and you don't need to be library member to visit our libraries. You can also find what venues in Derbyshire are offering warm spaces.
The government has also launched its Cost of Living campaign giving information about the financial support package that is rolling out nationally, including help with bills. You can find out more about what you are eligible to receive. The government has outlined plans to help cut energy bills for businesses.
Find out your nearest Warm Space open to you
Cost of living support (leicester.gov.uk)
Keep warm and well (leicester.gov.uk)
Fuel arrears voucher scheme
You can book an appointment with an experienced debt adviser who can provide advice and assistance to help you manage fuel arrears and any other bills you may be struggling to pay. The free support will include help to maximise your income and reduce your outgoings, negotiating affordable payment plans with your suppliers, provide one off grants to eligible applicants, and identify options to help you resolve all your outstanding bills.
Please visit cals.uk.net for more information or contact book an appointment with an adviser on 0116 242 1120 or by email enquiries@advice-cals.org.uk.
Energy rebate
The Government has introduced a £150 payment to help households cover rising energy bills. This is being paid as a rebate on council tax bills for most homes in council tax bands A to D. Find out more and how to get your rebate.
Reduce your bills
You may be able to reduce your fuel bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home – for example, by installing a new boiler or insulation. Various grants are available – please see our energy efficiency page.
Other financial support
Find out what other help may be available to you and where to get support.
Bills and winter payments
- The Big Difference Scheme - can give people on low incomes big discounts off their Severn Trent Water bill.
- Cold weather payments - you may get a cold weather payment if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest.
- Household support fund - you may be referred by us to get help with food and bills (electric, gas and water).
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Royal British Legion grants - those who have served, or are serving, in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, as well as their families, dependants and carers can apply for the cost of living grant.
Childcare and food
- Free school meals - Find out if your child qualifies for benefits-related free school meals and how to apply.
- Stocking Farm Community Shop - buy food at deeply discounted prices, join a cook club - kids eat free and you can join in other programmes and activities
- Healthy Start offers vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables if you’re pregnant or have a child under four.
- SureStart maternity grants are one-off payments of £500 to help with the cost of having a child.
- Tax-free childcare - You could be entitled up to £500 towards childcare.
Council tax, rent and making payments
Advice and support is available to anyone living in Leicester who is experiencing financial hardship. Trained staff are available by telephone and online. There is crisis support to help with fuel bills and food too. Find out about financial support available.
Funeral
- Funeral payments are available if you are struggling to pay funeral costs.
Legal
- Legal aid can help pay for legal advice, family mediation and representation in court.
Medical and travel
- Help with NHS medical and dental costs for people on low incomes.
- Travel costs if you are out of work.
- Prison visiting costs - staying in touch with someone in prison.
Clockwise credit union
The credit union offers safe savings and affordable loans to anyone living or working in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. You can find out more about joining on the Clockwise website.
Find help with cost of living | Leicestershire County Council
The Holiday Activity Fund provides free places at holiday clubs over the summer for children eligible for free school meals. We’re able to offer these as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, backed by footballer Marcus Rashford. The free sessions include sports, music, arts, and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.
In Wigston, Coalville, Loughborough, and Hinckley, our volunteer-run Community Fridges(link is external) are continuing to support their local communities by providing donated food for free to anyone who needs it.
There are six community kitchens in Leicestershire helping people to not only reduce food waste but also save money. Learn more about the Love Food Hate Waste(link is external) programme.
We support The Signposting and Community Support Service which helps people in hardship with furniture and electrical goods, as well as emergency short-term food and fuel support to people in crisis.
Help with home energy
From grant funding and benefits to simple changes that save money, the Warm Homes service supports people to maintain affordable warmth in their homes. Energy advice and switching support is also offered to residents to help them make informed decisions in the future.
Help with transport
A £300 e-bike voucher(link is external) is available to help residents in Oadby and Wigston buy an electric bike.
Community transport(link is external) runs accessible bus services and Dial-a-Ride in each district and gives communities access to transport for residents to access local amenities.
Help with employment, skills and opportunities
SHIRE Community Grants(link is external) are available for community projects which help improve the lives, health, and wellbeing of vulnerable or disadvantaged people and communities in Leicestershire.
We give funding to Citizens Advice(link is external) to help them offer support on issues relating to benefits, debt, homelessness, and employment.
If you’re looking for support with skills, training or employment, our Work & Skills Leicestershire scheme can help you.
As well our Work & Skills Leicestershire scheme, we’re launching a new project called Multiply this autumn. The initiative aims to increase people’s confidence with numbers, giving them the tools they need to improve their job prospects and life chances, help children with the schoolwork, and feel more confident managing their household budgets.
Supporting our communities
Helping people to lead safe and fulfilling lives is part of our job – and this includes support with rising prices.
Our teams help adults who need additional support because of increasing fuel and food prices - including older people where in many situations their care workers are the only people that they will see and interact with.
Our children and family workers help people with cooking on a budget, budgeting, priority debts, and signpost families to the sources of support.
If you’re already receiving support from adult social care or children and family services, please talk to your worker about what help is available.
Our Local area co-ordinators and community recovery workers provide direct support on a range of issues including food, finances and fuel.
Our First Contact Plus(link is external) service is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place. Information and resources on housing, health, living independently, money advice, work, security, and other topics that assist the county’s residents can be found.
Our libraries provide:
- free access to PCs and Wi-Fi
- a wide range of books and resources to loan for free, including e-resources and online reference tools
- advice on accessing digital information and services, including free data to people who meet certain criteria. More information can be found on the Good Things Foundation(link is external) website.
Support is also available from:
- Ofcom(link is external) – You may be eligible to move onto a cheaper tariff if you’re struggling to afford your broadband or phone.
- NHS(link is external)
- British Red Cross(link is external)
- Stop Loan Sharks(link is external)
Your district or borough council:
Cost of living – Lincolnshire County Council
There are a number of initiatives you can apply for or access information on through Lincolnshire County Council:
- Household support fund
- Holiday activities and food programme
- Help with childcare costs
- Free school meals
- Financial support for carers
You can find further information on your local district council website:
- Boston Borough Council
- City of Lincoln Council
- East Lindsey District Council
- North Kesteven District Council
- South Kesteven District Council
- South Holland District Council
- West Lindsey District Council
You can also get help and advice on things such as energy bills and income support:
- Help for households from the government
- Help with finances and debt from Citizen’s Advice Service
- Help with financial and life changes from Wellbeing Lincs
Be aware that scammers try to take advantage of people when they are vulnerable. You may find yourself more susceptible to scams when distracted and worried about your financial situation.
If you are concerned about a scam, or want to report one, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have also offered advice about how to stay fire safe while heating and lighting your home this winter.
- Financial help for low wage workers, households with children, and those most needing help towards rent, council tax, household bills including gas and electricity, childcare costs and important daily essentials. Funded by the third tranche of the Household Support Fund
- West Northamptonshire Council Online Cost of Living Support Hub
- Cost-of-Living Support Line 0300 126 7000
- Network and directory of 67 Warm Spaces across the whole county
- Directory of food larders run by Northampton’s Hope Centre
The full range of assistance can be found on WNC’s newly launched Cost-of-Living Online Support Hub which is full of information and advice about the rising cost of living to help all residents find support and help available to them.
The webpage is designed to be easy to navigate and contains lots of information on accessing grants, money and debt advice, government funding, wellbeing tips and links to local community organisations. The drop-down options are tailored to specific users and aim to make the information quick to find and easily accessible, without the need to scroll for a long period of time.
For those who can't access the Internet, residents can also call WNC’s customer services team and speak to somebody directly about the support available between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Please call us on 0300 126 7000.
WNC has also worked with the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is feeling cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company this winter. Everyone is invited to the network of 67 Warm Spaces, non-judgemental, safe and welcoming places where people in West Northants can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit. The Warm Spaces Directory can be found here.
In line with the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy, financial help is also at hand for 17,620 households who will benefit from the £2,599,628 third tranche of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund announced last month from economic support
Between now and March 2023 financial support will be available:
- To households with children – A £15 voucher was available for October half term and further support will be provided over the Christmas break to families of children who receive free school meals.
- To up to 4,000 households working but receiving a low wage - Online applications are now open to residents earning *£300 or less a week to receive payments totalling £250 into their bank accounts towards winter essentials. The first award of £125 will be credited to the applicant’s bank account at the point of approval of the application. The second payment will be credited to the same bank account 60 days later (without the need for a further application). To qualify you must be employed, have a valid bank account, live in the region, not been in receipt of the recent £650 government Cost-of-Living payments (£326 and £324) and be over 18. To apply visit Household Support Fund | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
*After deductions and including any other benefits claimed. Those who have recently received the £650 government Cost-of Living payments are not eligible to apply. - The council also plans to provide families with additional financial and practical Cost-of-Living help via community engagement, food banks and further emergency funding in the New Year. This support, which will be provided on a case-by-case basis, may be help towards rent, council tax, household bills including gas and electricity, childcare costs, important daily essentials.