We know many people are still struggling with the cost of living and keeping up with the daily essentials, so we wanted to remind you what help is available from the government and other organisations to support you.
Household support fund
This fund is to support families to pay for food, utility bills, clothing and other essentials. You can access this fund by googling ‘Household Support Fund’ and the area you live in, and it’ll direct you to your local council’s website, where you can apply for this fund.
Emergency food
The Trussell Trust is the largest food bank organisation in the UK. Not only do they provide food, but they also provide household essentials. You can give us a call on 0345 60 20 540 and we’ll help refer you to them.
Free school meals
Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you receive Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Universal Credit and many other benefits.
You can find out more about checking if your child is eligible or applying for free school meals on the Gov.uk website.
Budgeting loan
You may be eligible for a budgeting loan if you have an unexpected expense and have been on one of the following benefits for at least 26 weeks:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credits
- Universal Credit
You can use this loan for things like furniture, household appliances, clothes, funeral costs and maternity costs. Repayments for a budgeting loan are deducted from your benefits however you only pay back the amount you borrow, rather than any additional interest charges.
You can apply for a budgeting loan through the Gov website or by calling the Social Fund Enquiry Line on: 0800 169 0140
For more useful information and tips on support throughout the cost of living, you can visit our helpful webpage.
If you need help managing your finances, you can get in touch with our Money Advice team via the website, or by phoning 0345 60 20 540. They’re here to offer free and confidential support to all our tenants.
