The rising cost of living is affecting us all. We are supporting residents and businesses, as well as signposting to other agencies, which can offer help and advice.
Energy Costs
Beat the Cold is committed to helping those who live in, or are at risk of fuel poverty, or whose health could be detrimentally affected by a cold home.
Contact them by phone on 01782 914915 or via the website: https://www.beatcold.org.uk/contact-us/
Citizens Advice Energy Team
Support on a one-to-one and group basis, advice, information, help with other warmer homes initiatives, access to carbon monoxide monitors. They also link in to Beat the Cold. You can contact the team via email eve.yates@citizensadvicessw.org.uk, laura.brewer@citizensadvicessw.org.uk , carole.bagnall@citizensadvicessw.org.uk.
Or clients can visit https://citizensadvicessw.org.uk/
The Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme aims to provide Help for Households.
Click on the link below to find out what help you can get.
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/help-with-your-bills/
The Energy Saving Trust website has lots of useful tips which might help save money on your energy costs.
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/
Financial Support
Benefit Checker
Around one in 10 people are missing out on benefits they are entitled to. Click on the link below to check if you are eligible for any additional help.
https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
Problems paying your Council tax
If you are having difficulties making your payments, there may be options available to you. Click on the link below to find out what to do.
https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/residents/council-tax/problems-paying-your-council-tax
Problems paying your rent
If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover the full amount of your rent, you can apply a discretionary housing payment.
https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/do-it-online/request-it/discretionary-housing-payment
Budgeting and debt advice
Citizens Advice have a dedicated debt advice team, people can access the service, by telephone (Adviceline), email/web chat and self referral from web site. People can also drop into the office in Cannock (Civic Centre) or call for appointment.
They also have specialist advisers supporting people with enduring mental health issues/debt and benefits
Food Costs
With the rising cost of food, Food banks located across the District may be able to help you, depending on your circumstances. Find out more below:
https://cannockdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/
Heath Hayes Community Food Shop is a support group offering food support to anyone who needs it. FInd out more:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/164287225458264/
Water Costs
We know that sometimes finding the money to pay your water bill can be difficult so it is very important if you are struggling that you contact South Staffs Water (www.south-staffs-water.co.uk) immediately on 0800 09 30 610. If you are struggling to meet your payments they have a range of options available to help support you
The Assure tariff can help tenants who are on low incomes and struggling to afford their water charges. Assure is available for residential customers who meet the eligibility criteria- either:
- Have a total household income of less than £19,050 per year
- For households with dependent children, an additional £1500 per child will be added to £19,050 amount
Income will not be be included from the below benefits:
- Attendance allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Carers Allowance
- Housing Benefit or Housing Allowance (UC)
- Council Tax Benefit (not 25% single occupancy)
- Disabled or severly disabled element of Child Tax Credit
Or Customers who receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Element)
To find out more and compare tariffs visit the South Staffs Water website www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/household/my-bills-and-payments/my-bill-explained/other-charges-and-tariffs/comparison-of-our-special-tariffs
If you do not qualify for Assure, South Staffs Water will see if you qualify for Watersure.
Watersure is a tariff which helps some people with their bills, you have to be on a certain benefit and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of school age children. You do have to be on a water meter to qualify for Watersure. Customers on Watersure pay for the water they use up to a fixed maximum which won't be higher than the average household water bill.
Charitable Trust- you can apply to the South Staffordshire Water Charitable Trust if meeting the cost of your water bill is causing you hardship. The Trust is a registered charity that operates independently of South Staffs Water and aims to assist those customers who are in need or who are suffering hardship or other distress. The Trust tales applications from people experiencing hardship or difficulties who are in arrears with their water and sewerage bills. For more information on Charitable Trust please ring 0800 09 30 610 or visit http://www.sswct.org/
Water Direct- In some circumstances South Staffs Water can arrange for water bills to be paid out of benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions. This scheme is known as Water Direct. The scheme is designed to help tenants who have arrears on their water charges and are in receipt of qualifying benefits.
Find out more by visiting https://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/household/extra-help/help-with-paying here you can click on the links to the tariffs and download the form or call 0800 09 30 610 for a form to be sent out.
Click on the document Application for Assure Tariff below, Print and complete the form, then scan or email it to water@south-staffs-water.co.uk.
Foodbanks and Warm Hubs
Here you will find a directory of food banks, community tables, warm hubs and community cafes across the district.
If you would like to add anything to the directory please email saragreen@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or call 01543 464548
Broadband Help
Broadband deals for low-income families — how to get a social tariff on universal credit
Having strong, reliable broadband connection is as essential as every other household utility. It’s crucial for children as a learning tool at home, it's extremely useful for job hunting, checking on your benefit claims or access online portals to view your rent account, helpful for getting shopping done, communicating with the Council, and keeping in touch with loved ones.
Some broadband providers offer bespoke deals, known as 'social tariffs'. This allows tenants on low income to afford a broadband connection and to get the same access and opportunities online as others. With the cost-of-living crisis and broadband price hikes driving up everyone's bills, it's never been more important to see if you can reduce your monthly outgoings.
What is social tariff broadband deals?
Social tariffs are a way to get broadband for Tenants receiving Universal Credit and other types of benefits. The broadband deals are much cheaper than the standard monthly rate for the service and are reserved for these customers to help them afford the usual monthly price of a broadband connection. The broadband packages still usually the same speed, quality and like other home broadband deals. For more information, Ofcom publishes what options are available and https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/broadband-deals-for-low-income-families/
Can you get free broadband?
While the UK does not offer free broadband, Universal Credit receivers can qualify for heavily discounted broadband deals from a number of broadband providers.
In fact, TalkTalk recently announced a collaboration with Jobcentre Plus to offer six months of free broadband to those that are eligible. If you're not eligible but still on Universal Credit, your best bet would be to choose a specific low-income broadband deal offered by a UK home broadband provider.
So even though there is no free internet for Universal Credit customers, there are many ways you can make your broadband bill a lot easier to manage.
Are there other cheap broadband deals available?
Some of the social tariff contracts may have data limits and/or may not include phone service. Depending on your household requirements, it may be better to look for a standard unlimited cheap broadband contract. Broadband comparison services such Broadband Genie, https://www.uswitch.com/ and Broadband.co.uk offer free impartial advice to help you find a contract to suit your needs. There are many low-cost broadband deals to choose from. They aren’t as cheap as social Tariff, but they come with some of the lowest monthly prices you could find on the broadband market.
Here are some examples:
TalkTalk- FREE average 38Mb speed broadband only (no line) for six months
Who can get it? Technically not a social tariff, it's for jobseekers on universal credit who don't have an internet connection. Eligibility is determined by Jobcentre staff.
BT Home Essentials broadband & line-£15/month (£9.99 upfront) for average 36Mb speed- £20/month (£9.99 upfront) for average 67Mb speed
Business Help
If you run a business in Staffordshire advice and support is available to help you manage the impact of cost of living rises on your business.
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Community/Cost-of-living-support/Businesses.aspx
Advice Leaflets and Videos
The Centre for Sustainable Energy have a raft of information and advice on domestic energy.
Economy 7 for heating and hot water
There are many more leaflets available on their website here: Resources | Centre for Sustainable Energy (cse.org.uk)
There are also many practical videos providing energy advice, which may help you get the best value out of heating your home.
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSSAF)
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) is providing support of £400 for energy bills for households in England, Scotland, and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier. This support is provided by His Majesty’s Government and is delivered by local authorities. The scheme is now open to all eligible households across Great Britain until 31 May 2023.
Eligibility
Subject to applications meeting the eligibility criteria, people who will be able to receive support under EBSS AF include:
• care home residents and others in care facilities/sheltered accommodation (wholly or partly self-funded)
• park home residents, houseboats and caravans that can provide proof of address
• social and private tenants who pay for energy through a landlord on a commercial supply
• homes on a heat network/private wire
• off-grid homes
• farmhouses used for wholly domestic purposes
How to apply
If you are eligible for EBSS AF, you will need to fill out a short online form via the GOV.UK website.
This form can be found by searching “Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it
automatically” into the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine. Applications are made directly to His Majesty’s Government, not to or via Local Authorities. If you do not have online access, you can apply via a contact centre on 08081753287 where a representative will guide you through the application process.
Once you have applied, your application will be processed and verified. After this if your application is successful, your details will be shared with local authorities, who will deliver the one-off, non- repayable support. The payment will be made directly into your bank account in a single instalment.
Further information can be found on GOV.UK.
Last Updated: 01/03/2023