Please contact your local Citizens Advice for information and support about benefits and money advice, including managing finances such as bills, debts and borrowing. To find your local Citizen’s Advice please visit Worcestershire Advice Network..

We the council have made a search page to help you look for local organisations offering support, including support about money and debts. The search page is easy to use and can really help, visit our Community Services Directory.

For help to find a local food bank visit:

• The Trussell Trust
• Independent Food Aid Network
• The local council where you live can also help contact your local District Council

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.

Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste.

If you are pregnant or have a little one under 4 years old, 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. Visit the Healthy Start page on the NHS website for more information and where you can use your Healthy Start vitamin vouchers.

Find out where I can use my Healthy Start vouchers

We the council have made a search page to help you look for local organisations offering support, this could be for help around food. The search page is easy to use and can really help Community Services Directory.

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: Worcestershire Baby Banks (PDF)

Check if your eligible for Pension Credit. If you are State Pension Age (66+) on a low income you may be eligible for Pension Credit, even if you own your home or have savings. Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with council tax, NHS dental care and for those over 75, a free TV licence. Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, so long as there is entitlement during that time. This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December 2024.

Check your eligibility online on: Pension Credit:  GOV.UK t and call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 and they can fill in the application form for you over the phone.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

If you would like advice and support with applying for Pension Credit, please contact Citizens Advice or your local Age UK.

To find your local Citizen’s Advice or Age UK please visit Worcestershire Advice Network 

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. There is other help available to:

For help with energy bills, energy services, and to seek further help and advice visit Tackling fuel poverty.

For free and impartial advice to people about energy efficiency in the home, grants for heating & insulation and fuel switching advice visit Act On Energy

For support if you are struggling to meet the cost of water bill in the Severn Trent area visit: Help with paying your bill

Fire safety: A Home Fire Safety Visit is a FREE home safety visit that is tailored to an individual's needs.

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.

Complete your FREE online Home Fire Safety Check

Age UK Free Home Energy Checks

Free Home Energy Checks and installation of energy saving equipment

Access free practical advice and support to make your home more energy efficient through the winter months. This includes the installation of free energy efficient equipment draught excluders and low energy efficiency light bulbs.  

If you are:

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

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

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest: Call 01527 570490 or email enquiries@ageukbrwf.org.uk (for Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest residents)

Age UK Wyvern: Call 01684 576655 or 01905 724294 or email HSF@ageukwmh.org (for Worcester and Malvern Hills residents)

Help for households who are struggling with the cost of living, like the rise in energy prices and the cost of food. Visit Household Support Fund for more information.

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. Visit Warm spaces in libraries for more information.

To find your local Job centre visit Jobcentre Plus

For more information on careers information and support, visit

• Skills4Worcestershire
• Free and low cost learning courses
• Learn skills in libraries

How can I reduce my energy use?

Find out the advice and guidance to help reduce energy use by visiting:

• Warmer Worcestershire
• Act on Energy
• Energy advice for households

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

In the first instance we recommend contacting your energy supplier who could offer help and support.

Your local energy charity may be able to help, please visit Act on Energy for more information. Please note this is not an emergency support service, it may take a number of weeks for applications to be processed.

For emergency energy help and support, contact your local District Council

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

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

Ofgem offer support and advice on your bills and supplier, visit energy advice for households

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

Find Out what help and support is available to help you fix your heating by contacting Act on Energy 

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

There may be schemes available through your local Citizens Advice supported by the Household Support Fund. Citizen's Advice may also be able to signpost you to any local charities.

To find your local Citizen’s Advice please visit Worcestershire Advice Network

How do I find a credit union?

A credit union may be able to help with flexible payments.

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

Each Local council in Worcestershire offers a housing options service which provides housing advice. The service is for anyone requiring housing advice, experiencing homelessness or threatened with homelessness. See housing and homelessness for more information.

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

For further advice and support with home conditions:

• NHS advice: Can damp and mould affect my health?
• Citizens advice guidance: Repairs
• Act on Energy advice on condensation, damp and mould

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 NHS Low Income Scheme