If you are worried about paying bills or having enough money for food and essentials then we have compiled the many different ways you can get some help on this page.
And if you need some help our charity team is here for you; with a caring, listening ear and practical help to support you every week.
Instant help
Simply click the pink ‘Chat with us’ button below, open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
We can help you with many questions straight away.
Help for Households
The Help for Households pages on the GOV.UK website provide links to help with
- Income support
- Energy bills
- Childcare costs
- Household costs
- Transport costs
- Finding work
- Discounts and offers
Food
There are several discounts and ideas to save money on food from ASDA, Morrisons, Iceland and Sainsburys…
Asda
Children aged 16 and under can get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day in Asda cafés across the UK, 7 days a week, with no minimum adult spend. Asda are extending this offer to the end of 2022.
Iceland
Iceland are offering a number of cost saving initiative’s, including weekly discounts, product deals and frozen prices which are available in store, including £1 price freezes across 100s of lines for 2022, a weekly discount offering over 60s 10% off on Tuesdays & most recently The Iceland Food club, a partnership launch with Fair For You, to help families manage rising costs. There is also more to come in Autumn and into Christmas! Find out more here: www.iceland.co.uk/doing-it-right
Morrisons
Morrisons are offering a free meal for 1 child under 16 when buying an adult meal with a value of £4.99 or over at in-store cafés.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s have introduced budget-friendly meal ideas to feed a family of four for less than £5. The recipes are available on the Recipe Scrapbook at Sainsburys.co.uk.
We are here for you
Call 0300 303 0201
Email: carerscentral@drcbeds.org.uk
Instant help:
Simply click the pink ‘Chat with us’ button below, open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Household bills
The Money Helper service provides free, confidential and impartial help tailored to individual needs.
Info from the Help for Households – Housing Support page:
Cost of Living Payment
Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 this year.
This will be made automatically in two instalments, one in summer and another in the autumn, and is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.
Find out more information on the costs of living payment
Disability Cost of Living Payment
From 20th September, 6 million people who are paid certain disability benefits will receive an automatic one-off £150 payment. The payment will help disabled people with the rising Cost of Living acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.
This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means tested benefits. Check if you’re eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills. This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment. Check if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Council Tax rebate
If you live in Council Tax bands A to D in England you’ll get £150 back from your Council Tax bill (4 out of 5 households in England). For most people the rebate is automatic, however if you don’t pay your Council Tax by direct debit then get in touch with your Council. More information on the Council Tax rebate
Household Support Fund
£1.5 billion has been made available to support the most vulnerable to cover their essential daily costs, like energy bills. Recipients include pensioners and families with children. Contact your local Council to check if you’re eligible for the Household Support Fund
Budgeting loans
You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used for household items, rent in advance and travelling costs. Check if you’re eligible for a Budgeting Loan
Cheaper phone and broadband
You may be eligible to move onto a social tariff if you’re struggling to afford your broadband or phone services. Check the Ofcom website to see if you can switch to a social tariff
Vodaphone have very kindly provided our charity with 220 SIM cards for us to distribute to help more people connect to the mobile internet. We are encouraging disabled people and carers, their friends and family to contact us if they would like to claim a free SIM card or if they know someone that needs one.
The SIM cards are Pay as You Go SIMs that will each come with 20GB data each month plus unlimited calls and texts for a period of six months (activated on use). Please contact us if they would like to claim a free SIM card.
Help paying your Water Bill
Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills. Get support paying your Water Bill
TV Licence fee freeze
The TV licence fee has been frozen at £159 until 2024. This means households will not see any change to the licence fee until 1 April 2024. Find out more information on free TV Licence for over 75‘s
Get help with all or part of your rent
You may get help with all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of housing costs support and what you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council or housing association. Use a benefits calculator to find out if you can get benefits to help pay your rent
Universal Credit if you’re unemployed or on low income
If you and/or your partner are responsible for paying rent for the home you live in, or if you have a mortgage, Universal Credit may provide help towards the cost.
Check if you are eligible for Universal Credit
Housing benefit
Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you are state pension age or you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation. Check if you are eligible for Housing Benefit
Support for additional housing costs
You may be able to get support for additional housing costs if you’re already claiming Housing Benefit.
Contact your local Council to find out what support you can get
Council Tax support schemes
Councils run support schemes to help people on low incomes with their Council Tax bill. Contact your local Council to find out what support is available
Discretionary Housing Payments
If you are on certain benefits you may be eligible for Discretionary Housing Payments which provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs. Check if you’re eligible for a discretionary housing payment
Get help with interest payments on mortgages or loans
If you’re a homeowner on qualifying benefits, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home.
Check if you’re eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest
95% mortgages for homes up to £600,000
You may be eligible to borrow up to 95% of the cost of a property worth up to £600,000 thanks to the mortgage guarantee scheme. Contact mortgage providers to see if you’re eligible.
We are here for you
Call 0300 303 0201
Email: carerscentral@drcbeds.org.uk
Instant help:
Simply click the pink ‘Chat with us’ button below, open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.