Cost of living support

Cost of living support

Many Worcestershire residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That’s why it is important to know what help and support is available.

Government advice 

The Government cost of living national webpage has information and guidance to help with income, tax and benefits, bills, housing, childcare and travel costs.

BSL users

The video below is for our Deaf community of British Sign Language (BSL) users. The video gives information in BSL to help with managing money, the cost of living and where to go for any other support.
 

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has also set up this YouTube channel for BSL users to make it is easier to find help.

Useful links

I want to know what local support there is

Worcestershire Household Support Fund, funded by UK Government, is available to support households who are struggling with the cost of living. Find out what support is available for the cost of living and visit your district council website for additional local support information:

Worcestershire Advice Network 

Worcestershire Advice Network is a partnership of local agencies that help with everyday problems such as benefits, housing and debt, their advice is free and confidential. They can support you to find national and local cost of living support.

The Worcestershire Advice Network website provides information about your local Citizens Advice and Age UK. They may offer drop-in clinics or attend local events. Visit their ‘Contact Us’ and ‘News and Events’ pages for more information.

Community Services Directory

Worcestershire’s Community Services Directory can help locate local support services near you. Whether you’re looking for a local organisation providing debt advice, support with food supplies or a free activity group, you can search and filter the directory results to find charities, community groups, businesses or other local organisations.

I am worried about money

For support and advice about money matters, please contact your local Citizens Advice.
Citizens Advice offer free independent confidential advice and support about benefits and money matters, including managing finances such as bills, debts and borrowing. 

The Worcestershire Advice Network website provides information about your local Citizens Advice, including their contact details.

Worcestershire’s Community Services Directory can help locate local services offering support with money matters. Search and filter the directory results to find charities, community groups, businesses or other local organisations.

I am worried about food

Food banks provide emergency food, essentials items, and support to people who are struggling with the cost of living. Food banks can often provide other essential services on-site such as help with finances too. 

The Trussell Trust website can help you find local food banks near you. 

Worcestershire Advice Network partners can make referrals and locate local food supplies. Visit the website to find your local agencies contact details.

For more information about food support in your area, visit your local council’s website:

A Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste. They’re open to all and anyone can share or take food, including surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and gardens. Fridges are run by community groups in shared spaces such as schools, community centres and shops. 

For more information and to locate your local Community Fridge visit The Community Fridge Network, coordinated by Hubbub.

The Let's Waste Less FoodSavvy webpage has useful tips to reduce food waste, save money, and recipes to plan meals. 

Worcestershire’s Community Services Directory can help you find local services offering support with food supplies. Search and filter the directory results to find charities, community groups, businesses or other local organisations.

Free school meals and support during school holidays

For help and support with free school meals visit apply for Free School Meals.

For help in the school holidays for meals for children Holiday Activity and Food.

Healthy Start 

If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you might be able to get Healthy Start vouchers. Watch the video below to learn more about how Healthy Start can help you and your family. 

The Healthy Start: food and vitamin support webpage has more information.
 

I am worried about the cost of my energy and water bills

If you are worried about your bills, we recommend you contact your energy supplier in the first instance, they will speak to you and can help. 

Worcestershire Household Support Fund Energy Support Scheme

If you are a Worcestershire resident and live in a low-income household and struggle with the cost of your energy and water bills you may be eligible for support. Act on Energy delivers Worcestershire’s Energy Support Scheme, funded by UK Government, which provides assistance with the cost of household energy, energy bill debt, heating system repairs and replacements for residents who are eligible. 

Apply online (Act On Energy)

Or call freephone: 0800 988 2881

Energy advice and support 

Act on Energy is a local energy charity, offering free impartial energy advice to help you reduce your energy bills, make your home more energy efficient, or help you understand your energy options. Energy advisors can provide support to help find energy grants and funding available. 

Call freephone 0800 988 2881 to speak with an energy adviser, or visit the Act on Energy website for more information and support available in Worcestershire.

Act on Energy offers short, quick tip videos to help you save money and reduce your energy usage. To watch, visit the Quick Tips Videos section on their website.

Act on Energy attend local events across Worcestershire, check to see if they are attending a local event near you, to speak with an energy advisor. Visit the Act on Energy events section on their website.

For more tips to reduce your household energy bills and other local and national support available, please visit the Tackling fuel poverty section of their website.

Support with water bills

If you live in a low-income household and struggle with the cost of your water bill, you may be eligible for support. 

If your water is supplied by Severn Trent, please visit the Severn Trent Big Difference Scheme webpage.

If you live in North Worcestershire and your water is supplied by South Staffordshire Water, please visit the South Staffordshire Assure tariff webpage.

Age UK free home energy checks

Access free practical advice and support to make your home more energy efficient through the winter months. This includes an assessment of your property, advice on keeping warm and well, saving energy and paying less, installation of free energy saving equipment.

If you are:

  • over 50
  • have a long-term health condition
  • have a disability
  • are a carer for someone

then please contact your local Age UK to organise a visit:

  • Age UK North Worcestershire (for Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest residents):
  • Age UK Wyvern (for Worcester, Malvern Hills and Wychavon residents):

HWFRS free home fire safety visit 

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service provide fire safety advice to everyone. A Home Fire Safety Visit can be carried out for the more vulnerable such as the elderly, people living alone and those with reduced mobility. 

The visit includes a home safety check to help reduce the risk of fire in the home, this can include the checking and fitting of smoke alarms where required. It can also include alarms suitable for those with a hearing impairment and giving advice on a fire escape plan.

Residents struggling to keep warm may be eligible for a free Warm Pack during the free Home Fire Safety Visits, whilst stocks last.

Complete your FREE online Home Fire Safety Check online or for further information about a free Home Fire Safety Visit call freephone 0800 032 1155.

I am struggling to stay warm at home where can I go

Worcestershire Libraries are part of the Warm Welcome Spaces national network which lists places that can provide a warm welcome for those struggling to heat their homes or would like to connect with people. 

Learn more about Warm spaces in libraries.

I want to work or learn

For support and resources to help find jobs, explore learning opportunities and information about local career pathways visit the Learning, skills and employability webpage.

Worcestershire Libraries offer support with digital skills to get online to learn, upskill and find work. 

Search the Worcestershire Jobs webpage for local job opportunities and apprenticeships, or visit the Jobcentre Plus website to find your local Job centre.

Family Hubs

Family Hubs offer support to expectant parents, children, young people, and their families. They provide a single place to go for support and information from a variety of services such as financial and debt advice, childcare, and food bank vouchers. 

Visit the Information about Family Hubs webpage to find your local Family Hub and support options available. For more support and resources visit the Virtual Family Hub webpage.

Visit the Ways of paying for childcare webpage for more information about financial support for parent/carers and the funded childcare options that are available for childcare costs.

Baby banks

Baby banks receive donations of essential items for babies and children and pass them on for free, from one family to another. They are a lifeline for families who need help: providing parents with support, and children with the items they need to thrive.

You can see a list of local baby banks, as well as contact details here: 

Broadband social tariffs, free mobile data, free wi-fi and access to public computers

Stay connected, check your eligibility for cheaper social tariffs from broadband and mobile providers if you receive certain benefits. 

Home broadband

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for those claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support. Some providers might include additional benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance. 

For more information about Social Broadband tariffs, to check eligibility and how to apply for the support, visit the Ofcom Social tariffs wepage.

Mobile SIM data

Like a foodbank but for mobile data, the National Databank provides free mobile SIM cards for people who can’t access or afford the internet. Digital Inclusion Hubs distribute data packages from the National Databank to help people who are digitally excluded get connected.

To find your local digital inclusion hub and databank providing free data visit the Good Things Foundation website.

Public computers and free Wi-Fi 

All Worcestershire Libraries have public computers and free Wi-Fi so you can get online and access support.

To find details of local library locations, opening times and facilities visit the Find a library webpage.

Cost of living scams

Please be aware of criminals who are preying on people worried about the cost of living via cold calls, emails, texts and online ads.

Scammers may make false offers of energy refunds, energy discounts, tax rebates, cost-of-living payments and food vouchers to steal your personal or banking details.

How to protect yourself

If you have any doubts about a message claiming to be from an organisation, contact the organisation directly - do not reply to the message

Don’t use the numbers or address in the message – use details from their official website. Remember, your bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal information via email or text

If you have received an email that you’re not quite sure about, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

Follow the Take Five To Stop Fraud advice:

  • Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information
  • Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you
  • Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

How to report a scam 

You can report scams to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, by:

You can report a scam to Action Fraud, the UK national fraud office, by:

For more information about scams and fraud visit the Worcestershire Trading Standards webpage.

Frequently asked questions

I think I have borrowed money from a Loan Shark, what can I do? 

What is a loan shark and how to report a loan shark

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark:

  • Did they offer you a quick loan?
  • Did they appear to be a friend at first, but now you’re not so sure?
  • Did they say there was no need for paperwork?
  • Did they add extra charges or huge amounts of interest to your loan?
  • Have they threatened you?
  • Are you scared of people finding out?
  • Have they taken your bank card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?

Contact the England Illegal Money Lending Team for support or to report a loan shark:

BSL users

The video below is for our Deaf community of British Sign Language (BSL) users. The Illegal Money Lending Team video gives information in BSL about loan sharks.

Am I eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?

Age UK and Citizens Advice offer information and guidance about the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility criteria, updates, and how to claim.  

The Worcestershire Advice Network website provides information about your local Citizens Advice and Age UK. Worcestershire Advice Network offer free advice and information about local and national support available with the cost of living.

I have no credit left on my prepayment meter and no money to top it up, what can I do?

In the first instance, contact your energy supplier for help and support. They may offer emergency temporary credit to restore your energy supply. 

Citizens Advice have guidance online if you cannot afford to top up your prepayment meter. Contact your local Citizens Advice for free independent confidential advice. 

The Worcestershire Advice Network website provides information about your local Citizens Advice.

Contact your local district council or visit their website for more information and support available with the cost of living, they may offer emergency energy support: 

Worcestershire Household Support Fund Energy Support Scheme

If you are a Worcestershire resident and live in a low-income household and struggle with the cost of your energy and water bills you may be eligible for support. Act on Energy delivers Worcestershire’s Energy Support Scheme, funded by UK Government, which provides assistance with the cost of household energy, energy bill debt, heating system repairs and replacements for residents who are eligible. 

Please note, this is not an emergency support scheme. If eligible, applications can take several weeks to be processed.

Apply online (Act On Energy)

Or call freephone 0800 988 2881

My energy company is saying I need to have a prepayment meter, which I don’t want, what can I do?

If your supplier is trying to move you to prepayment, they must follow rules set by the energy regulator, Ofgem.

For further advice on the circumstances under which you could decline a pre-payment meter see guidance from Citizens advice. 

To find your local Citizens Advice for free confidential advice and support visit:

My heating is broken, and I can’t afford to get it repaired, is there any scheme to help me?

Worcestershire Household Support Fund Energy Support Scheme

If you are a Worcestershire resident and live in a low-income household and struggle with the cost of your energy and water bills you may be eligible for support. Act on Energy delivers Worcestershire’s Energy Support Scheme, funded by UK Government, which provides assistance with the cost of household energy, energy bill debt, heating system repairs and replacements for residents who are eligible. 

Please note, this is not an emergency support scheme. If eligible, applications can take several weeks to be processed.

Apply online (Act On Energy)

Or call freephone 0800 988 2881

My cooker, fridge or washing machine is broken and I can’t afford to replace it, is there any support for these items?

Local grants and funding schemes may be available to support with essential white goods such as, cookers, fridges and washing machines. Contact your local Citizens Advice for information about the local support available.

To find your local Citizens Advice visit the Worcestershire Advice Network webpage.

Contact your local district council or visit their website for more information about local support available for essential items such as white goods: 

I’m concerned about my housing situation or rental property?

Each Worcestershire district council has a helpful housing options service available to provide expert advice on housing. This service is here for anyone who needs advice on housing, whether you're facing homelessness or worried about losing your home. 

It's for everyone, including renters, homeowners, and those looking to buy their first home. The advice you receive will be customised to your specific situation, offering a range of options to help you find the best solution for your housing needs.

Here are the links to the local councils in Worcestershire where you can find help:

I’m concerned about the damp and mould in my property?

Act on Energy, your local energy charity, have useful energy tips and resources on their website, including a short video about damp and mould.

Visit the Act on Energy website to: 

or call Act on Energy freephone 0800 988 2881 

For more information about energy advice, grants and funding visit the Tackling fuel poverty webpage.

I’m worried about paying for my prescription and dental treatment charges

If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for:

  • NHS prescription charges
  • NHS dental treatment charges
  • the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
  • the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
  • NHS wigs and fabric supports (check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs)

How much help you get depends on your weekly income and necessary outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply.

To apply please visit the NHS Low Income Scheme website.

Related

Household Support Fund

Support is available for those households who are struggling with the cost of living.

Tackling fuel poverty

The Warmer Worcestershire Network is a partnership working together to tackle fuel poverty.

Community Fridge

A community fridge is a way of distributing food to everyone.

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