If you are worried about rising costs, we have put some helpful  information together to help. 

Struggling to pay your gas or electricity?

If you are struggling to pay your gas and electricity bills there is plenty of help available. 

If you are over 60, disabled or chronically ill you should contact your supplier to make sure you are on their 'Priority Service Register.'  This entitles you to a range of free services including quarterly meter reads if you have difficulty reading the meter.

Other ways that you can get help are:

  1. Contact the Home Heat Helpline, a free, expert service for vulnerable people by completing a form on their website. They can speak to your fuel supplier for you and find out if you can obtain any extra financial help.
  2. Contact your energy supplier for advice and to see if they have special tariffs for low income customers.
  3. Contact the Energy Saving Trust advice centre for energy saving advice by clicking here
  4. If you were born on or before 26 September 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.  You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you’re eligible and either:
    • get the State Pension
    • get another social security benefit
  5. Check if you can save money by switching to a new supplier.  Contact a free 'fuel comparison service' for advice. You need old bills to make a comparison and you can do it by phone or fill out an online form.
  6. Check your state pension here. See your pension forecast, find out when you will start receiving it and how to potentially increase it. 
  7. The government has some helpful advice to get your home winter ready
  8. Are you entitled to pension credits?  Check the Government website for more information here

We have also put together a list of charities and helplines that are designed to support money matters click here for more information:

  • Christians Against Poverty

    This is an award winning debt counseling charity who are on hand to help.  Please click here

    You can also call their free helpline for confidential advice on 0800 328 0006

  • Turn2us

    Turn2us is a charitable service which helps people access the money available to them, through welfare benefits, grants and other help.  Please click here to go to their website

  • National Debtline

    A helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems, please click here to go to the website.

    You can also call them on 0808 808 4000

  • Step Change

    Step Change offers broad range of options on how to manage your money.  Go to their website here

    You can also call them on 0800 138 1111

  • The Money Charity

    Provides information and guidance for people looking to manage their money better or to deal with debt or money worries - huge number of options are available so please check out their website here

    You can also call them on 020 7062 8933

  • Payplan

    Free confidential advice on debt problems and how to manage them.  Please check out the Payplan website here. 

    You can message them via their website or call them directly on 0800 280 2816

  • Universal Credit - Money Manager Tool

    Money manager for Universal Credit claimants     Universal Credit Money Manager  

  • Discounted broadband

    Millions of households could save up to £144 a year on broadband by taking advantage of 'social tariffs'.  Discounted broadband is available to households currently on Universal Credit. 

    Please check with your broadband supplier to check your eligibility.

  • First Day's Children Charity

    Housing Solutions work closely with First Days who are working and campaigning to end child poverty.   

    They reduce the long term effect of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years and at school.  They give choice, restore dignity and empower families who are living with a low income or are experiencing financial hardship.  

    We believe that all children should: 

    • Be safe in their home, and out about.  
    • They should be confident in school. 
    • They should have lots of fun.  

    They provide everyday essentials to families who need them by distributing school uniforms, new baby essentials, travel equipment, toiletries, safety items, furniture, toys and books. Click here to request help

You can also speak to our welfare and benefit team who are here to help.  Please click here for more information.

Why are energy prices rising?

Energy prices are rising due to various factors including an increase in wholesale global energy prices. Ofgem, the Government regulator for electricity and gas, has announced an energy price cap rise of 54%, this is a significant increase that is likely to cause extreme concern for most households in the UK. Global gas prices have increased by a record amount in the last six months and wholesale prices have quadrupled in the last year.