Cost of living help

Government help

You can find all the latest information on assistance provided by the government here: Cost of living payments

Money saving tips

Plan your spending – Make a monthly or weekly budget to help you plan your spending. There are free budgeting tools online. Try: • the Citizens Advice Bureau’s online budgeting tool at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting/budgeting/work-out-your-budget/ or • visit Stepchange at: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/your-financial-situation/making-a-budget.aspx

Pre-planning your supermarket shop is a great way to stop you adding things you don’t really need. Planning menus in advance can also reduce food wastage.

Find savings – Sign up for the free weekly email from Money Saving Expert, which is full of savings news. Go to: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Consider switching bank accounts for the rewards – for advice go to: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/

Switch credit cards to cut the interest you pay: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards/

For cheaper broadband and/or phone bills go to: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards/

For cheaper mobile details, check out: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/

Use market comparison sites to get the best deals on car and contents insurance, and (when prices settle) to choose your energy provider.

Use food saving apps like Too good to go https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-gb to pick up cheap bags of goodies from local businesses at the end of the day.

Make the most of discounts, coupons and sales – but don’t be tempted to buy extra items. See: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/supermarket-coupons/ for advice on tracking these down.

Apply for grants and social tariffs – People on Universal Credit and others on benefits and low incomes can benefit from grants and social tariffs from service providers.

Energy bills – If you are struggling to pay, ask your energy provider about any grants they provide.

Water bills – If you are on benefits and live in London, check whether you can Money saving tips get a significant discount on your Thames Water bill. Go to https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/financial-support/waterhelp

If you live in Kent, South East Water also provides a social tariff. Check this out at: https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/help/priority-services/help-paying-your-bill/

Broadband/phone bills – Several companies offer social tariffs for people on low incomes. For example, check out: • BT Home Essentials • G Network Essential Fibre Optic • Virgin Media Essential Broadband (existing customers only) • Hyperoptic Fair Fibre Community Fibre offer a low-cost deal on 20Mb full fibre broadband that is open to everyone.

Need help? Go to the Turn2Us website for comprehensive advice on benefits and lists of bodies offering grants: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

If you are struggling and need to speak with us, please contact your Rent Income Officer.