Cost of Living Support
The current cost of living crisis is affecting all of us. We know it can seem overwhelming and that is why we’ve brought together some useful information to help.
If you are having difficulty paying your rent it is important that you contact us as soon as possible. We can help and advise you.
Please email us or call us on 0330 175 9726.
Welfare benefits and grants
Did you know that over £19 billion was unclaimed last year?
Our experienced Advice and Support Team can assist you with welfare benefits, income maximisation and financial difficulties.
We have helped our customers claim over a million pounds in welfare benefits and grant payments during the last financial year!
Please talk to us if you would like help with maximising your income, require a welfare benefits check or are struggling to make ends meet with food, utilities or other money worries.
We have a Wellbeing Team if you are struggling with your mental health.
We also have our Customer Account Managers who will do their best to help you with your rent account.
If you would like to speak to the advice and support team, the wellbeing team or a customer account manager, please click here.
Please check out the tabs below for information you may find helpful at this time.
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Energy costs within your rent
Do you pay any energy costs in with your rent? Are you using oil or coal to heat your home? Are you off grid?
If any of the above apply you might be entitled to extra help with your energy costs through the Energy Support Alternative Funding Scheme.
Be quick though, if you think you are eligible for a payment, you only have until 31 May 2023 to apply.
You can check your eligibility and apply click here
If you need any help to do this, then please contact us.
How will this help me?
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding is for people who don’t have a domestic electricity supply and didn’t get the automatic £400 payment.
Those that heat their homes using alternative fuels other than gas will also get a payment from the Fuel Payments Alternative Fund.
There are two types of support available in Wales:
- The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding gives you a one-off payment of £400 if you aren’t on a domestic electricity connection or don’t have direct contact with a supplier to get an automatic payment. You might be paying your energy costs through your rent.
- The Fuel Payments Alternative Fund gives you a one-off payment of £200 if you don’t use gas to heat your home, use other fuels for heating and wouldn’t be able to get an automatic payment from your electricity supplier like the ones most people received earlier this year.
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Cost of living payment
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits.
You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances:
LOW INCOME BENEFITS & TAX CREDITS
You may be entitled to up to 3 Cost of Living Payments of £301 (paid in May), £300 (autumn) and £299 (spring 2024) if you get any of the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The payment will be made separately from your benefit payments.
DISABILITY COST OF LIVING PAYMENT
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 to be paid in June to July 2023 if you’re getting any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
PENSIONER COST OF LIVING PAYMENT
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 25 September 1957.
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Cheaper phone and broadband
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.
If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available. Some providers also include people on other benefits such as Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Income Support. The person receiving the benefit will need to be the main person on the contract.
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Help paying your water bill
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income.
In Wales, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water operate the HelpU tariff which helps low income households by putting a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water when you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
If you are struggling to pay a bill already received, Dwr Cymru can help in a number of ways. Click here for details.
Our Advice and Support Team can help you with applying for support with Welsh Water.
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Helpful links
Debt Management Advice
If you are need of support with debt you can contact a registered company such as Citizens Advice or Step Change.
- Citizens Advice: Contact number 03444 77 20 20 or you can visit the Citizens Advice website
- Step Change: Contact number 0800 138 1111 or you can visit the Step Change website
- National Debtline: Contact number 0808 808 4000 or you can visit the National Debtline website
Travel
There are a number of ways in which you may be able to save money when travelling.
Get 1/3 off train travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard
Financial support for disabled drivers
Help with travelling to an NHS appointment
Armed forces and veterans support
Job Centre Plus Travel Discount Card
Healthcare
Support to help pay health costs including dental care and glasses
Help to buy healthy food and milk for young children through Healthy Start
Miscellaneous
Energy saving tips
