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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 

Pension credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. 

  • 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

  • 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): The Community Law Service 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, taking the pressure off you.  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
  • 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.

  • Cost of living payment: households on means tested benefits, including Pension Credit, will receive a payment of £650 this year
  • 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
  • Household support fund: A government fund available to support the most vulnerable with essential living costs
  • 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 home improvements
  • Apply for universal credit and housing benefit – most new benefit claimants of working age will need to claim Housing Benefit via Universal Credit
  • Check your potential entitlement by using our benefits calculator – Information on how we calculate housing benefit and council tax support, alongside a benefits calculator to see what you are potentially entitled to based on your income and circumstances
  • Community Law Service (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 and information on benefits such as the non means tested Attendance Allowance.  Call 01604 621038, email [email protected] or contact via the website

  • 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.
  • 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
  • The Housing Advice Service: For people at risk of losing their home and who have a court hearing, Community Law Service 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]

  • 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