Following the Cost of Living Fair I held this November, you can find information below on all the support that is available both locally and nationally this Winter.
If you have any questions, please contact me on 01635 551070 or laura.farris.mp@parliament.uk.
Citizens Advice West Berkshire:
- Help and advice on benefits, debt, employment and housing. Dedicated Money Advice Team.
- www.citizensadvicewestberkshire.org.uk (01635-516605)
West Berkshire Council:
- Household Support Fund for households most in need, apply for short-term financial help with costs such as energy bills, food and clothing - www.westberks.gov.uk/householdsupportfund (01635-551111)
- Energy-saving advice - www.westberks.gov.uk/savingenergy
Sovereign Network Group (formerly Sovereign Housing):
- Advice on bills, debt and benefits; job, business and skills support; advice on getting online and access to devices and the internet.
- www.sovereign.org.uk/cost-of-living-support (0300-5000-926)
Home-Start:
- Support for families with at least one child under the age of 5.
- www.home-startwestberks.org.uk (01635-760310)
Newbury Community Resource Centre:
- Apply to their Essential Household Goods Support Scheme for assistance with items such as furniture, white goods, bedding and kitchen items.
- www.n-c-r-c.org (01635-43933)
- Further information is available by emailing ehgs@cfpnewbury.org
- Christmas Toy Appeal: vouchers available for eligible families by calling 01635-571703
Age UK:
- Services, advice and support to people over 50, their family, friends and carers.
- www.ageukberkshire.org.uk (0118- 959-4242)
- Further advice, guidance and factsheets available on debt, money management, banking and family legal affairs: www.ageuk.org.uk (0800-169-65-65)
Fair Close Centre:
- Lunch discounts available to eligible households.
- Newtown Road, Newbury (07496-587904)
British Telecom:
- Home Essentials plan for customers on specific state benefits including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
- www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials (0800 800 150)
Lloyds Bank:
- Lloyds Bank Academy available to everyone (you do not need to be a customer) and providing advice on financial, digital and employability skills
- www.lloydsbankacademy.co.uk
Thames Water:
- www.thameswater.co.uk/helptopay (0800-009-3652)
- Water Help - low-income households may qualify for a 50% discount of their bill.
- Water Sure – households on a water meter who find it hard to save water (if they are a large family or have a water-dependent medical condition) may qualify to have their bill capped.
- Payment matching – if a household owes over £120, Thames Water may match the money you pay towards it.
- Payment plans – short and long-term plans available.
- Priority services – www.thameswater.co.uk/priorityservices (0800-980-8800). Extra care and support for eligible customers.
British Gas:
- Help available if you are struggling to afford your gas and electric bills; advice on reducing energy usage; smart meter installation advice; change your tariff; arrange to pay in instalments; check your entitlement to benefits.
- www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/help-if-youre-struggling-to-pay.html (0333-202-9804)
- Priority Services Register – www.britishgas.co.uk/priority-services-register (0800-072-8625). Support for vulnerable customers.
- Energy saving – www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/savings-calculator. Advice on energy saving.
- Energy efficiency – www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boilers-and-heating/eco-scheme.html. Advice on Government schemes available for homes with Energy Performance Certificate ratings of D or below.
- British Gas Energy Trust – www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk (0121-348-7797). Apply for grants up to £1500 to help pay your energy bills.
Miscellaneous
- www.heatthehomecounties.org.uk/apply-now (01344-888930). Means-tested grant for home heating and energy efficiency measures.
- Smart Works – www.smartworks.org.uk (0118-959-4245). Advice, clothing and coaching for women returning to work.
- Regenerative Food Production Courses – www.edgelandscaping.uk/grow.aspx (01635-770123). Food growing and gardening courses at Sheepdrove Farm, Lambourn.
UK Government
- www.gov.uk/helpforhouseholds. More than 40 schemes available to help with bills, childcare and Pension Credit.
- www.gov.uk/cost-of-living. Advice on income and disability benefits, bills, allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
- www.gov.uk/saveenergy. Advice on energy saving.
- www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility (0800-731-0160). Payments between £150 - £300 available for eligible households.
- www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme (0800-731-0214). Discount of £150 available off electricity bills for eligible households.
- www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility Automatic payments made for those in receipt of certain benefits if average temperatures reach, or are forecast to reach, 0C or below over 7 consecutive days.
- www.gov.uk/pension-credit. Pension Credit is extra money to help with living costs. Find out if you are eligible to receive it.
- www.moneyhelper.org.uk. Guidance on finance and debt advice.
Autumn Statement Announcements:
- Universal Credit and other benefits – increase by 6.7%, in line with inflation in September.
- State Pension – increase by 8.5% to £221.20 a week, reinstating the commitment to the Triple Lock.
- National Living Wage – increase by 9.8% to £11.44, with the age threshold lowered from 23 to 21 years old.
- Pension Credit – increase by 8.5% for those eligible (of State Pension age and on a low income).
- Local Housing Allowance Rate – raised to 30th percentile of local market rents.