Help if you're struggling with the cost of living
Many older and vulnerable residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That’s why it’s important to know what help and support is available now – that could benefit you, a relative, friend or neighbour.
This page continues to be updated with resources and information, so please keep checking back.
Here’s a link to information about energy bills and community buildings from GRCC (Gloucestershire Rural Community Council) which gives tips on how to save money in your home: GRCC Gloucestershire Community Buildings’ Network Easy steps for energy and resource efficiency
Here is a link to Cotswold District Council’s webpage that has some sources of support that could help you or someone you know: Help if you’re struggling with the cost of living
Cotswold District Council and partners also have a leaflet you can download which contains useful information if you are worrying about money.
PENSIONS
If you’re over State Pension age, check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit. It is estimated that up to 7 million people in the UK are missing out on income-related state benefits. You could be eligible for pension credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.
If you are living with a disability, caring for someone, or have housing costs you could still be eligible even if you have more income or savings.
You can check your eligibility for pension credit via the government’s online calculator.
Pension Credit can provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, Council Tax, heating bills and, for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence. If you are aged over 66, read this useful article on pension credit here.
It is also worth checking whether you were eligible for the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment 2022-2024. You may have been entitled to payments to help with the cost of living if you were getting certain benefits or tax credits on certain dates between 2022 and 2024. See the government’s webpage here for further information.
LIVING WITH ILLNESS OR DISABILITY
Help if you’re experiencing illness or disability
Check if you or your family may be entitled to benefits for those experiencing illness or disability.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available for adults in England and Wales under state retirement age and Attendance Allowance for those over state retirement age. If you were born on or before 8 April 1948 you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you were born after 8 April 1948 you’ll need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The assessment considers the way that your health conditions affect your daily living and mobility needs. Receiving these benefits may increase entitlement to other benefits such as Pension Credit and Council Tax Support.
If you’re too unwell to work, you may be entitled to New Style Employment and Support Allowance with, or instead of Universal Credit depending on your National Insurance record with Limited Capability for Work or Work Related Activity.
CARERS
Check your eligibility for Carer’s Allowance
If you are a carer, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance and/or an extra amount called the ‘carer element’ within Universal Credit. This could mean £81.90 a week in Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person and if someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care you give is unpaid.
ENERGY PRICES
Winter Fuel Allowance
The Winter Fuel Allowance is an annual, tax free lump sum payment intended to give older people the reassurance that they can heat their homes over the Winter. Typically you will receive £200 if you are a pensioner aged under 80 but if one or more of you in your household is over 80, you will get typically receive £300.
Who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance? The government is changing the rules so that from winter 2024/2025 households will no longer be entitled to the Winter Fuel Allowance unless they receive Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. The BBC have written a useful article which you can read here to find out more information about the changes.
Get help from your energy supplier - Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free to join. It helps utility companies, including energy suppliers, electricity, gas and water networks look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs. It helps tailor services to support households who need extra help with everyday energy matters like bills, and also in the unlikely event of a power cut, gas or water supply interruption. Find out more here
The Energy Price Cap, will rise by 10% on average from 1 October 2024 Read here to find out more about the energy price cap and what this means for you
Gloucestershire Libraries offer free Warm and Welcome Spaces at their libraries - found out more here
Read here for some quick tips to save energy from the Energy Saving Trust. And click here for some more energy saving tips from Gloucestershire County Council.
For anybody struggling to pay their energy bills or keep their home warm, Severn Wye offers an advocacy service for free! Find out more here
Their Gloucestershire advocacy project can help those in need to be better informed about home energy, save money, and get the help and support they are entitled to. Onward referrals can be made for households with wider needs. Please get in touch with them at [email protected] or refer someone directly to them using this link: https://warmandwell.co.uk/refer/ Through this referral fuel-poor or vulnerable households may be eligible for the new LEAP Boiler Scheme to repair or replace broken/condemned boilers. More information can be found here.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Support available in your community
Cotswold Friends are supporting Age UK with distributing the Household Support Fund scheme. The scheme aims to support households in most need with food, energy, and water bills. It can also be used to support households with other essential costs. This may include households not currently in receipt of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) welfare benefits. Please get in touch with our Support Services team to discuss your eligibility by popping in to our head office in Moreton-in-Marsh, emailing [email protected] or calling the team on 01608 652019.
Cotswold Friends are also able to provide members of the public with foodbank vouchers, where items can be collected at one of the North Cotswold Foodbank locations, which you can view here. Please get in touch or pop in to discuss your eligibility with our Support Services team.
Gloucestershire County Council has created an online Support Hub which gives lots of advice and information on local support - visit their website here to find out more.
Here is a link to Cotswold District Council’s webpage which has a list of support available across the district.
On top of financial and other support available, there are also lots of community groups and local organisations that can help people who are struggling with the cost of living. Find out more about Cotswold Friends’ services here.
How you can support your local community through the cost of living crisis
Many people will be struggling with the cost of living but also many people may want to support others in their communities. If you want to help, Cotswold District Council have listed a number of ways you could help here: How you can support your local community through the cost of living crisis and we are always looking for Volunteers here who can make a real difference to those struggling in our community. Find out more about Volunteering at Cotswold Friends here.
For more information, contact our Support Services team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01608 652019