Cost of Living

I want to help with the cost of living as much as I can and so have pulled together the following information for those who need pointing in the right direction in regards to welfare support, household bills, travel costs or childcare. 

There are a wide range of services and organisations available that can assist you in relation to the cost of living - and you'll be able to find all of this information below.

Requests for advice and support to help with the cost of living feature regularly in my constituency surveys and form a significant number of casework enquiries to my office. My team and I are always happy to assist you as best we can however, as your MP I am unable to provide specific financial advice and it is sometimes better to speak with another advisory organisation in the first instance. 

Citizens Advice Burnley

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers support both over the phone and in person.

To speak with an Advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau or to arrange an in-person appointment please call 0800 144 8848

Income Support and Universal Credit

Many constituents are not always aware of their entitlement to Income Support and other benefits.

There are a range of benefits available for individuals not in work, on low incomes and or with a health or disability need. Information about benefits which can be applied for, including their eligibility criteria are available at the Gov.uk website here.

The simplest way to check eligibility is via a benefits calculator which asks for details about your financial situation to determine whether you might be eligible. Once completed, the calculator will give you an indication of what you might be entitled to apply for.

The Gov.UK website also provides information and links to the three most commonly used Benefits Calculators. These are, Gov.UK, entitled to and Turn2Us. Simply select which benefits calculator you would like to use here. 

If you are still unsure whether you might be eligible and you would like to speak with someone in person you can do so by contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau or speak to the relevant Government Department, directly. If you wish to contact the relevant Government Department, directly please use the following information and contact numbers for some of the main benefits constituents frequently contact me about.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to receive it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

For more information about Universal Credit please visit:
Universal Credit

Universal Credit applications can now be made online using the following link:
Apply for Universal Credit

  • Alternatively, you can call DWP on 0800 328 5644
  • Or for textphone users please use 0800 328 1344
  • Relay UK is also available if you cannot hear of speak on the phone; dial 18001 then 0800 328 5644
  • A video relay service is also available for British Sign Language users. Check if you can use this service by using the following link; Universal Credit: Contact Universal Credit – GOV.UK

Help to Claim

If you struggle with understanding complex information or need some help with completing forms the Citizen’s Advice Bureau provide a Help to Claim service for Universal Credit. For more information about the Help to Claim service please visit:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

To speak with the Help to Claim service please call 0800 144 8 444. For Relay calls please dial 18001; then 0800 144 8 444.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for ESA if you have a disability of health condition that affects how much you can work

You may also be able to get ESA if you were unable to work whilst self-isolating because of Coronavirus.

You can apply if you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.

You could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of ‘new style ESA’ to check if you are eligible use one of the benefits calculators and make a claim by applying online for ESA using the following link;
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

If you cannot make an application online or you are an appointee for someone please call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 and select Option 3 or by Textphone by calling 0800 328 1344 also choosing option 3.

Relay UK and Video Relay are also available. For more information about these services please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

  • A long term physical or mental health condition or disability
  • Difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP if you are working, have savings, or are in receipt of other benefits.

If you need help understanding or applying for PIP you can get help from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. For more information about the support they provide please visit the following link:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

To apply for PIP you need to call DWP to start your claim using the following telephone number,

Carer’s allowance

If you are applying for PIP a carer (or someone who looks after you) might be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. For more information about Carer’s Allowance please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Tax Credits

Tax Credits have now been replaced by Universal Credit. They were provided to those on low incomes for help with living and childcare costs. You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit if you already get Tax Credits.

If you cannot apply for Tax Credits you can apply for Universal Credit instead using the previous details provided for the Universal Credit Helpline.

You cannot claim Tax Credits and Universal Credit at the same time. Your Tax Credits will stop if you or your partner apply for Universal Credit. To check how Universal Credits and Tax Credits affect each other please visit:
How tax credits and other benefits affect each other

For those in receipt of Tax Credits you can now manage your tax credit claim online using the following link:
Manage your tax credits 

Household Bills, Utilities, Winter Fuel & Council Tax

Help with Household Bills: (including help for; Utility Bills, Heating and Winter Fuel and Help with paying Council Tax)

Many constituents approach my office seeking advice and support about how they can manage their household bills or reduce debts they may have incurred with their utility providers. The following information provides advice and contact details which can help reduce your household bills, and manage debts associated with these

There is help for every household within Burnley and Padiham to support people with the cost of living which you can access here.

However as a summary here is the main support on offer.

Council Tax Rebate

Available to all households in Council tax bands A-D which accounts for 95% of properties within our borough.

£650 Cost of Living Payment

Available to anybody receiving:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

The first payment of £326 will be automatically paid in to your bank account in July.

£324 will then automatically come in November

£400 Energy Bill Discount

Will help all household within Burnley and Padiham with the money to be taken off your energy bills automatically over 6 months starting from October.

(In some cases household will be provided with redeemable vouchers).

You might also be eligible for further help to pay your bills:

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 26th September 1955 you could get a payment of £100-£300 towards the cost of your energy bills. There are full details of eligibility and how to apply here.

Cold Weather Payment

You might be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if you get support for mortgage interest, or certain benefits including income support, job-seekers allowance or pension benefit. You get a payment if the weather is on or below freezing for 7 consecutive days. Cold Weather Payments can  start from 1st November, and you can get £25 per each cold week.

https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The warm home discount scheme could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022. The scheme opens on 18 October 2021.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October and March. You might be eligible if you are on pension credit, or on a low income. More details here.

Other sources of help

The British Gas Energy Trust help people in fuel poverty. You do not have to be a British Gas customer to qualify. More here.

Eon also provide support for existing customers: https://www.eonenergy.com/more-for-your-home/energy-fund.html as do

EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-centre/faq/can-i-get-grant-help-me-pay-my-energy

Octopus energy advice https://octopus.energy/blog/struggling-to-pay/

 

Gas, Electricity and Water

Since 2015 Energy companies have been required to put customers onto the cheapest available tariff suitable to their needs. If you are unsure whether you are on the cheapest tariff or you would like to compare the costs of your energy bills please contact your energy provider direct or visit the Money Saving Expert website at the following link:

Gas, Electric & Water Guides

You can also use price comparison tools to check your usage and costs for energy providers which are readily available on the internet by searching price comparison tools.

If you are on a low income or over a certain age you might also be able to receive help.

For more information on the schemes and payments available and whether you might be eligible please use the links below:

Additionally, for those struggling to pay energy debts, grants are available to help. Contact your energy supplier directly to find out more. If your energy supplier does not provide a grant scheme you can apply to the British Gas Energy Trust for help. These grants are available to everyone whether you are a British Gas Customer or not. To check if you are eligible use the following link:
Grants Available – British Gas Energy Trust

Water

United Utilities provide drinking water and wastewater services in the Burnley and Padiham area.

You might be able to reduce your water bills by transferring to a water meter. If this is something you are considering doing please visit the following link which provides helpful information on transferring to a water meter.
Switching to a Water Meter | United Utilities

United Utilities also operates a WaterSure Tariff for those on a water meter, in receipt of certain benefits, who live with children or where a member of the household has a medical condition that requires the use of a significant amount of water. To check if you might be eligible please visit:
Problems Paying? | United Utilities 

Help with paying Council Tax

The Council Tax Support Scheme helps some people with paying Council Tax. The amount of support you can get will depend on your income and personal circumstances.

To check your eligibility and make a claim contact Burnley Borough Council either on 01282 425011 or apply online using the following webpage:
Council Tax Support – Burnley Borough Council

In addition to Council Tax Support some people and properties might be eligible for a discount or exemption from Council Tax. To check if this might apply to you please check out the following link:
Council Tax discounts and exemptions – Burnley Borough Council

Broadband and TV

For those on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits there are low income broadband packages available which provide a basic broadband connection with some packages offering to waive connection fees. For more information about the packages available and to check eligibility please visit Uswitch at
Broadband deals for low income families

Further advice and information on how to reduce broadband and TV costs is also provided at the Money Saving Expert website at the following link
Broadband & TV Guides

Mobile Phones

Most advisory organisations recommend contacting your provider directly for help if your struggling with your mobile phone bill. Your provider may be able to help by sorting a payment plan, reducing your bill, giving you more time to pay, increasing your data or download limit or moving you to a contract which suits your needs better.

Detailed advice is provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau in relation to options that might be available if you are struggling to pay your mobile phone bill on their website at
If you’re struggling to pay your mobile, phone, internet or TV bill – Citizens Advice

Alternatively, you can call the Citizen’s Advice Consumer helpline Line directly for help on 0808 223 1133.

Help with Housing Costs

You can get help with your housing costs if you are eligible for Universal Credit. Your housing payment can help with the payment of:

Rent to a private landlord

  • Your rent and some service charges if you rent from a housing association or local authority 
  • Interest payments on your mortgage and some service charges. 
  • If your housing payment does not cover all your housing costs you might be eligible to apply to the Local Authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment. For more information on Discretionary Housing Payment’s please visit the Burnley Borough Council website at Discretionary housing payments – Burnley Borough Council  where you can apply online. 

In addition to the above you might also be eligible for a Council Tax Reduction or other financial help through Universal Credit. You can claim for housing costs if you already have a Universal Credit claim by using the online tool on your account.

Help with a deposit or guarantee when moving into the private sector

The Local Authority may be able to help you with its own rent deposit, bond, or guarantee scheme. These are usually provided to individuals at risk of homelessness who have an urgent need to move and would find it difficult to afford the costs associated with such a move. Schemes vary but they can provide:

  • Cash to help with a deposit and rent in advance
  • A written guarantee that the scheme will cover unpaid rent to a certain amount
  • A checking service to see whether you might be eligible

Help with Childcare Costs

There is a range of support available from Government to either help with the cost of child care or to reduce your existing child care costs. The schemes available vary and depend on your personal circumstances and family income but broadly fall into the following: 

Tax Free Childcare

  • Free Childcare provision amounting to either 15 or 30 hours per week (dependant upon circumstances)
  • Tax Credits to help with childcare
  • Universal Credit to help with childcare

To check what help and support you might be able to receive please visit Child Care Choices at
Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

The website details the eligibility criteria for each scheme and also explains how to apply.

Help with Travel and Transport

There are several schemes available in Burnley and Padiham; and across England which can help to reduce the cost of travel on rail and buses.

Rail Cards

For rail travel and the range of rail cards on offer which can reduce costs by up to a third following a small payment for the card; please visit the National Rail website at
Railcards | Digital Railcard and Prices | National Rail

For those eligible, there is also a Disabled Persons Rail Card. More information on this rail card, and how to apply are included at the following link:
Benefits – Disabled Persons Railcard (disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk)

Bus Passes

The schemes for bus passes are administered by the Local Authority. For more information about the available schemes please see the information below.

Older Persons Bus Pass

Bus Passes are available for individuals who have reached state pension age and provide the holder with ability to travel on local buses anywhere in England in accordance with the Local Authority’s Scheme. If you think you might be eligible please take a look at the following link:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/public-transport/apply-for-a-concessionary-travel-pass/
 

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

A Disabled Persons Bus Pass entitles the bearer to travel for free throughout England at any time of day with a valid pass. For more information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply please visit Lancashire County  Council’s website at: 
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/public-transport/apply-for-a-concessionary-travel-pass/

 

Help with Mortgage Payments

If you’re struggling to meet your mortgage repayments, the government could be able to help. You could be able to sign up for the Mortgage Rescue scheme, Support for Mortgage Interest, or other government benefits that might boost your income. If you are having trouble with mortgage payments please take a look at the following link:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/homes/buying-a-home/government-help-if-you-cant-pay-your-mortgage

Healthcare and Disability Support

Patients will often need to pay towards healthcare costs; however, some patients do not have to pay these costs either because they are in receipt of certain benefits or because they are on a low income. 

For more information about the schemes available please visit: 

Help with health costs

 If you are eligible you may be entitled to help with costs for: 

  • Prescriptions 
  • Dental care 
  • Eyecare 
  • Wigs and fabric supports 
  • Travel 

NHS Solent: Integrated Learning Disability Healthcare Services

NHS Solent Integrated Learning Disability Healthcare Services is a specialist team of clinicians delivering specialist services to people with a learning disability within the Portsmouth area.

Find out more using the link here

Debt Advice and Support

There are a number of charities and organisations both nationally and locally who are able to provide Debt Advice and Support. Trained advisors can review your income and expenditure and help with arranging repayment plans to your creditors.

I know from speaking with many constituents how difficult it can be to make the first step and speak with someone about their money worries but I would always encourage everyone to seek the specialist help they need. The advice available from the charities and organisations listed below is free and is always treated with the utmost confidence.

Some organisations can also provide further specialist advice and assess eligibility for debts to either be written off usually through a variety of different debt solutions for example a Debt Relief Order.

If you have problems with money – get advice as soon as possible.

 

Homelessness

If you need support, please seek help as soon as you think you may be at risk of losing your home. This will give the Council more time to help prevent you becoming homeless or to help you to find somewhere else to live.

https://www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/housing/housing-advice-and-homelessness

Get help and advice if you’re rough sleeping from Burnley Council.

If you are homeless you should contact 01282 425011

If you need help out of office hours, call the Out of Hours Service on 01254 356535.

The team will talk to you to assess your circumstances, offer advice and work with you to develop your own housing plan.

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