An adult in employment
What do you need help with?
- #PovertyHurts: Northamptonshire Community Foundation are encouraging local residents that can afford to do so to donate all or part of their energy rebate to their #PovertyHurts appeal to help those who need it
- Volunteer for food banks, larders, visiting elderly residents, buddy schemes, etc
- Donate - Food, clothing, money
- Furniture reuse charity: Donate your unwanted furniture or household items you to support others in Northampton Contact or Daventry Contact
- Love your clothes: Keep your clothes out of landfill and give to others
- Libraries: get access to free resources
- Support for carers: Northamptonshire Carers provides advice, support and a network for both paid and unpaid carers
- Warm spaces: The network of Warm Spaces will offer different activities and/or options – from coffee mornings and signposting to support available, somewhere to socialise and grab a hot drink in the warm. Click on the link to find your nearest warm space
- Good neighbours scheme: For those looking to receive support offered by friendly neighbours
- The West Northamptonshire Poverty Truth Commission: Have your say and be involved in social change
- Childcare costs: The government website has lots of information and support available with childcare costs. Have a look at see what benefits or financial support you can get
- Council tax hardship relief: If you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship, then you may be able to claim some discretionary assistance with your Council Tax
- Council tax reduction: You can claim Council Tax Reduction if you are already claiming other benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support or Universal Credit. You may also claim it if you are working but on low income
- Disability reductions: You may be able to get a reduction on your Council Tax bill if you, or an adult or child living with you, is permanently disabled
- Carer discount: If you are a carer for an average of 35 hours per week for (excluding spouse, partner, or a child under 18), you can claim a discount subject to other benefits the recipient of care is receiving
- Care leaver discount: If you have been in the care of West Northamptonshire Council or North Northamptonshire Council (for instance you lived in a care home or foster care) and are leaving care you may be entitled to a reduction in Council Tax until you reach the age of 25
- Contact the money advice service - Our money advice service is available if you live or work in the West Northamptonshire area. It’s a free, independent and confidential service
- National debtline: Freephone – 0808 808 4000
- Community Law Service (CLS) - CLS has a team of specialist debt advice caseworkers who can provide a full range of debt counselling, including liaising with creditors and advising on insolvency. The service is free, independent and confidential. Call 01604 621038, email [email protected] or contact via the website
- Commsave - The credit union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative, providing an easy way to save and a better way to borrow for over 30 years. They have variety of affordable banking options which includes to have savings automatically deducted from your salary.
- Towfood: For £10 annual membership, there are two payment modules available (subscription/pay as you go), you can access groceries at heavily discounted rates in your local area. See locations of food larders in South Northants
- Food Aid Alliance West Northants (FAAWN) - If you need help for yourself, or want to refer someone for help, FAAWN provides a list of organisations and days / time where you can access food and support. View dates / times
- Food banks: Find the closest foodbank to you
- Healthy start: If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk
- Help with free period products in the Daventry and surrounding area: (20+) A Bag for Flo | Facebook
- Cooking Good have created lots of top tips on how you can create healthy shopping habits that will make your food go further whilst spending more wisely
- Toogood to go – Starbucks, Co-op, Poppy fields Farm, One stop Duston, Spar, Ibis, Harvester, Toby, Greg’s – all offer food at a reduced price. These can be goodie bags or a carvery meal for £3.99.
- Olio - This is where households can put food that is close to ‘use by’ date and these are free for collection. Tesco’s also put items on there
- Morrisons - ‘Ask for Ellen’ at any Morrisons’ café and receive a portion of two standard Warburton's crumpets, with butter and jam for free – no questions asked. Ask for Ellen runs from 17 July to 13 August and will be available to everyone, all day, every day.
- Charity Link - Charity Link helps people in financial hardship stay dry, warm, clean, safe, and fed. They enhance wellbeing, dignity, and living standards/
- Help paying your water bill: advice on schemes available
- Anglian Water affordability support
- Support for those in off-gas areas: Northamptonshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) runs bulk oil buying schemes to help those who live in these areas
- Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills from Ofgem
- Cost of Living Grants (britishlegion.org.uk): For veterans and their families who are struggling to pay energy bills. The initiative provides non-repayable emergency grants which are means-tested - veterans do not have to be on State benefits to apply
- Community Law Service (CLS): Provide free, independent and confidential advice and casework for people struggling to afford household bills. This includes advice on debts, benefit checks and advice on energy bills. Call 01604 621038, email [email protected] or contact via the website
- ECO4 flex energy efficiency scheme
- Energy efficiency grants
- The Priority Services Register (PSR) provides extra help and additional support during a power cut for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or those who rely on power for medical equipment
- Ask Bill for free and impartial advice on water, energy, self-help, and debt topics
- YourNRG - heat oil-fuelled homes for less
- Help with your energy bills: Government funding is available for households that missed out on the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme due to not having a direct contractual relationship with their electricity supplier
- Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP): Government funding is available for households that use alternative fuels as their main form of heating
- Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) - a grant scheme to fund energy-saving upgrades for residents with off-grid gas heating systems. Conditions apply
- Northamptonshire ACRE - helping village residents without gas access to get the best price for heating oil, saving them money, especially those struggling with fuel costs
- Community Law Service (CLS): advice and casework on debt, fuel poverty, welfare benefits, housing (evictions and repossessions) and immigration. Call 01604 621038
- Employment support: you can access free employment support or find out where your nearest job centre is
- Citizens Advice (CA): can provide advice and guidance for residents struggling with the cost of living, call your local branch on:
- Advice on reducing your energy costs: find free advice by visiting the energy saving trust website
- Make the most out of left over food at home: Love Food Hate Waste helps you explore simple ways to save food and money at home
- Getting ready for winter: advice on how you can save money on your energy bills at home via these websites: Centre for Sustainable Energy and Simple Energy Advice
- Fuel bank foundation: Provides advice and general support to help people with their payment costs
- Money helper: General guidance to help you with your money use every day
- Damp and mould in your home: Damp is a common problem which many tenants experience when renting accommodation
- Find a hub | Online Centres Network – visit your local centre to access free internet and support with digital technology
- Cheaper phone and broadband: You may be able to move onto a social tariff if you’re struggling to afford your broadband or phone services
- Cheap broadband deals: view the cheapest broadband deals in your area
- Broadband Genie's Top Tips to get ready for Digital Voice: offers guidance and support ahead of the upcoming Public Switched Telephone Network shut-off in 2025
- Help with your TV Licence: A simple payment plan for those experiencing financial difficulty
- Check your potential entitlement by using our benefits calculator – How we calculate housing benefit and council tax support
- Budgeting loans: You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used for household items, rent in advance and travelling costs
- Cost of living payment: Households on means tested benefits, including Pension Credit, will receive a payment of £650 this year
- Apply for universal credit and housing benefit – Most new benefit claimants of working age will need to claim Housing Benefit via Universal Credit
- Contact the Community Law Service (CLS): CLS has a team of specialist caseworkers who can provide expert advice and representation to people who have been refused a benefit or have a benefit problem, including representation at social security tribunals. Call 01604 621038, email [email protected] or contact via the website
- Mental health number: For local support and services give one of our mental health navigators a call, anytime of the day or night
- Samaritans: On hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Mental health support: Available to you in Northamptonshire
- GamCare is a national provider of free information, advice and treatment for anyone affected by problem gambling
- Gambling Addiction Help Guide provides help and information about gambling problems
- East Midlands Gambling Harm Service: provide specialist therapies, treatment and recovery to those affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems. The service accepts self-referrals or you can ask a GP or other health worker to make a professional referral for you. You can also call the team on 0300 013 2330
- Paying your rent or mortgage: Check if you are eligible for universal credit for help in paying your rent and/or mortgage
- Housing benefit: Support to help you pay your rent if you are state pension age or you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation
- Help with interest payments, mortgages or loans: If you’re a homeowner on qualifying benefits, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home
- Paying your rent: You may be able to get help with all or part of your rent
- Discretionary housing payments: If you are entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing costs and can’t afford your rent, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment. These payments may be used to meet shortfalls in rent where you are affected by the room restriction, benefit cap or other factors that reduce your benefit. They could also be used to help with removal costs
- FAQs for domestic consumers and landlords | Ofgem
- Housing Advice Team: For people at risk of losing their home and who have a court hearing, Community Law Service (CLS) offers free representation at court. For households on a low income, specialist advice on potential evictions/repossessions is available. Contact the specialist Housing Advice Team. Telephone 01604 621038, email [email protected] or contact via the website
- Government support to help with mortgage interests: You may eligible for government support
- Repossession advice: Speak to your mortgage lender
- You have rights as someone with a mortgage, you can view these on the mortgage charter
- Many bus fares across West Northamptonshire will be reduced as part of the Government’s scheme to provide more affordable public transport. Operators including; Stagecoach and Uno are capping single fares at £2 until the end of December 2024.
- Voi Technology offer discounts on e-scooter passes and free rides for referrals. Find out more about saving pounds and pennies with Voi.
Last updated 17 October 2024