Money issues can affect anyone. If you're having difficulties, we’re here to help.
Please see the links below to support agencies, tools and information to help you manage your money and make sure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to. There are lots of free services available online and in your community.
We've put all the local support information into a short cost-of-living guide.
We can help
Our Customer Support Funds help Warwickshire Rural Housing Association residents who have a specific, short-term need where there is no other help available.
The fund is split into three categories:
- Emergency Support Fund
- New Home Tenancy Support
- Opportunity Fund
Local authority support
If you have a low income or claim benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction or other help to pay your Council Tax bill.
Find out more on the gov.uk website
You'll be asked for your postcode and directed to the relevant page on your local authority’s website.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.
They’re issued through your local council. Each council decides how their application process will work (see links to each council's webpage below).
They are a top-up to Housing Benefit or the housing element within Universal Credit, and are available if the Council agrees you need extra help with your housing costs.
Find out more and apply
The Household Support Fund provides financial support to help vulnerable households who can't pay for food or energy and have no other access to funds.
The fund is distributed by your local authority. Each council has their own fund and eligibility criteria:
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit (UC) is a payment to help with your living and housing costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
It’s a means-tested benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a monthly payment for people of working age that replaces:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Support in Warwickshire and Solihull
Act on Energy is an environmental charity covering Warwickshire, Solihull and surrounding areas.
They offer a full home energy support service and free, impartial advice, including:
- energy bill advice
- managing energy debt
- switching suppliers
- grant availability
- referrals to other agencies.
www.actonenergy.org.uk
Helpline: 0800 988 2881
Solihull Council and Age UK Solihull provide an annual Solihull Winter Warmth hotline to help people stay warm and well.
The service is not just for older people; it's for anyone who needs help staying warm this winter.
Helpline number: 0121 704 8080 (open November to March).
The P3 Charity offers free advice and support to help adults and families in Warwickshire gain, manage and maintain accommodation.
They have three 'Navigator Hub' support centres in Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Rugby. They are available to anyone in the community who needs advice or support. As well as support with housing issues, P3 can also help with:
- education
- employment
- sexual health
- relationships
- finances, benefits and dealing with debt.
If you need more comprehensive support, their floating support service could be right for you (see Floating support section below).
Warwickshire County Council fund services to improve the quality of people’s lives by promoting independent living and encouraging people to build on their existing skills and capabilities.
These services are delivered by specialist support agencies who work in partnership with the County Council. They include:
Citizens Advice provide free, independent and impartial advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem.
This includes advice and information on:
- Benefits
- Consumer rights
- Debt and money
- Family rights
- Health
- Housing
- Legal support
For local support, take a look their website for your area:
Bedworth, Rugby and Nuneaton:www.brancab.org.uk
North Warwickshire:www.nwcab.org.uk
South Warwickshire:www.casouthwarwickshire.org.uk
National Advice Line: 0800 144 8848
Debt helpline: 0800 240 4420
The Roundabout charity distributes good quality household furniture and other items to families and individuals on low incomes and in financial need.
They cover some areas of Warwickshire – take a look at the map on their website for details.
To access their service, you’ll need to be referred by an organisation like us, your GP or Warwickshire County Council.
Please contact your Housing Officerfor a referral.
Help with energy, water and broadband costs
Your energy supplier can help if you are having difficulties with your gas and electric bills. You can get other grants and benefits too. The options will depend on your situation.
If you're finding it hard to pay your gas or electricity bills, speak to your energy supplier. They must work with you to agree a payment plan you can afford under Ofgem rules.
There are also lots of national and local benefits and grants available to help you manage energy costs. You can find out more about these below.
This is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household.
Not all suppliers are part of the scheme. Check if yours is on the Warm Homes Discount website.
If you are aged 75 or over, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your winter heating bills.
You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.
If you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven or more days in a row, you may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment.
If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off.
British Gas Energy Trust - open to anyone
The British Gas Energy Trust offer grants to clear domestic gas and electricity debts. These grants are open for anyone; you don't need to be a British Gas customer.
Other grants
Other energy companies offer grants specifically for their customers. Visit Citizens Advice for a list of which suppliers currently offer grants and support funds.
Big Community Switch is a free scheme that could help you save money on your energy bills.
Collective energy switching uses the bargaining power of a large group of people to get a competitive offer for you. It’s a free service and open to anyone in the UK.
National Energy Action's Warm and Safe Homes service provides free and impartial advice to help you stay warm affordably.
If you or someone in your household has a disability and need help with energy and water costs, Scope can offer free advice.
Their expert advisers can help with a wide range of topics and provide you with a personalised action plan.
Many providers offer social tariffs to help people afford broadband and phone services.
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other benefits. They may also be called ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Severn Trent - Big Difference Scheme
Severn Trent Water customers may be able to save up to £390 on their yearly water bill by applying to their ‘Big Difference’ scheme.
Eligibility is based on your household income.
Anglian Water
Anglian Water have lots of measures in place, from special tariffs to short-term support.
Reduced tariffs: Anglian water offer LITE and Extra LITE tariffs to customers on a low income who are finding it hard to pay their water bill. Depending on your individual situation, you could get a discount of up to 50% on your water and sewerage charges by switching to one of these tariffs.
Extra Care Support: Anglian Water also offer an Extra Care Support service – where they create a personalised plan for you to manage your water payments.
Households receiving Pension Credit can get a free TV licence, but you must apply for the free licence.
Support for older people and people with health issues
Financial support if you're living with cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support
A cancer diagnosis can change your financial situation. It may mean you need to stop working, or work less. It can also mean spending more money on things like hospital parking. Depending on your situation, you may be able to get benefits or other financial support.
Find out more about what you could be entitled to on the Macmillan website
Age UK
Age UK offers information and advice through a free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.
They can help with:
- benefits
- retirement
- wellbeing
- money issues.
Find out more on the Age UK website or call on 0800 678 1602.
Online money management tools
Money Helper
A great place to start to find out what benefits you could be entitled to
Turn2Us
Support to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help
entitledto
A free and completely independent benefits calculator