Mims Davies MP is sharing Cost of Living Support that is available to help residents and includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel and more.
Firstly, it is important to be aware and to ensure loved ones and neighbours know that you may get calls, emails or messages that are pretending to be from a government service or an energy bill support scheme. Elderly relatives and friends can be particularly vulnerable to these awful scams. If you get a message asking for your personal details (for example, bank details or passwords) this could be a scam. Report anything you think is suspicious.
Support with Income:
Find out what support is available in England to help increase your income. This includes the:
- Cost of Living Payment
- Universal Credit
- Carer’s Allowance
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
As well as seeing if your tax bill can be reduced and other ways you can get help here.
Support with Bills and Costs:
This includes support with utility bills, support from your local council and Council Tax Reduction:
Help with energy bills:
Find out what help you can get with energy bills, including the Energy Price Guarantee and support if you use alternative fuels.
Help from your local council (Household Support Fund):
Find out about help you can get with essential costs. This includes food, energy and water bills.
Cheaper phone and broadband (‘social tariffs’):
If you’re getting certain benefits find out if you can get cheaper phone and broadband on the Ofcom website.
Help paying your water bill:
Find out how to reduce your water bill and support you may be able to get to pay for it on the CCW website. Their advice hub is packed with information and useful tools to help you reduce your bills or access financial support, including advice on the different types of schemes that water companies provide.
Support with housing costs:
Council Tax Reduction:
If you’re on a low income or certain benefits you can check if you’re eligible to reduce your Council Tax.
Help paying rent (Discretionary Housing Payments):
If you need support with rent or housing costs you can check if you’re eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local council.
Housing cost help with Universal Credit:
If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can get help paying for housing (for example, rent and mortgage interest). Find out more about housing costs and Universal Credit.
Housing Benefit:
If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing you can check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit for help to pay your rent.
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs:
Answer a few questions to find out what help you can get to pay for health costs such as prescriptions, eye and dental care.
If you get Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance:
Check if you’re eligible for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card on the National Rail website. This gives a discount on some rail tickets.
Support if you're 60 or over:
Checking your state pension to find the earliest you can gain access. As well as:
- Pension credit
- Housing benefits
- Support with travel costs
- Free or discounted TV licence (over 75s)
- Help with NHS prescriptions and health costs can be found here.
If you’re disabled or have a health condition:
Find out what support is available if you’re disabled or have a health condition in England. This includes:
- Disability benefits
- The Disability Cost of Living Payment
- Support with prescriptions and health costs.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP):
If you have a long term health condition or disability and have difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around you can check if you’re eligible for the Personal Independence Payment.
Attendance Allowance:
If you’re of State Pension age and have a physical or mental health condition you can check if you’re eligible for Attendance Allowance.
Universal Credit if you’re disabled:
If you have a health condition or disability that prevents you from working and you’re on Universal Credit check if you’re eligible for a disability Universal Credit payment.
Disability Living Allowance for children:
If you look after a disabled child you can check if you’re eligible for Disability Living Allowance.
Access to Work:
If you have a physical or mental health condition or disability you can check if you’re eligible for Access to Work. This gives help to get or stay in work.
Disabled Facilities Grants:
Find out if you can get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home such as:
- widening doors
- installing ramps or grab rails
- improving access around your home
Discounted TV licence if you’re registered blind:
If you’re registered blind you can apply for a discount on your TV licence.
Support with travel costs
Disabled person’s bus pass:
If you’re disabled you can check your eligibility for an disabled person’s bus pass to travel on the bus for free.
Disabled Person’s Railcard:
If you’re disabled you can check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard on the National Rail website to get a discount on the cost of rail tickets.
Childcare and maternity costs:
Find out what support is available with childcare and maternity costs in England. This includes free childcare hours and free school meals. As well as
- Child Benefit
- Tax-Free Childcare
- 30 hours free childcare a week for 3 to 4-year-olds
- 15 hours free childcare a week for 3 to 4-year-olds
- Free childcare for 2-year-olds
- Universal Credit and childcare.
Support with maternity costs including Maternity Allowance which you may be eligible for, if:
- you’re employed but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
- you’re self-employed
- you’ve recently stopped working
Check if you’re eligible for Maternity Allowance.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you or your partner get certain benefits and you’re having a child check if you’re eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.
If You're Finding Things Difficult:
If you're finding things difficult, it is imperative you know, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. These are tough times and everyone is struggling in one way or another. Support with mental health is available on the NHS website and you can also seek help from your GP if money problems are affecting your mental health and wellbeing and they will be more than happy to support you.
The brilliant charity Mind is also here with open arms ready to help anyone who is struggling. They have tips for every day living and help when it comes to money. Other amazing supportive charities can be found below:
Samaritans
Call the Samaritans to talk to a trained volunteer anonymously for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123
24-hour service
Free to call - find out more about call charges
There are also other ways to contact Samaritans.
Shout 85285 (text support)
You can text a trained Shout 85285 volunteer anonymously for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Shout 85285
Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
24-hour service
Free to text from most major UK mobile networks.