Cost of living support and payment
Britain is facing its biggest cost of living crisis in decades, and more people have gone to Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice for help with crisis support, energy problems and not having enough money to make ends meet than ever before.
This month the first cost of living payment will be made to help people deal with the rising inflation and energy prices. The National Association of Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Dame Clare Moriarty was interviewed on BBC Two’s Newsnight alongside the CEO of Octopus Energy.
Clare talked about the stories we’re hearing of people struggling to cope and what the government must do ahead of the price cap rising again this autumn.
Cost of living help available through government support
- £650 Cost of Living Payments – two payments; first of £326 in July, second of £324 in Autumn for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit. If there is a joint claim with a partner, they will get one payment of £326 and one payment of £324 for their joint claim, if entitled. Those on Tax Credits will receive their first payment in Autumn and the second in Winter.
- £400 off electricity bills for every household. This is the Energy Bills Support Scheme starting from October
- £150 in September, if the person is in receipt of a disability benefit such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement
- £300 extra for pensioner households paid as an increase to their winter fuel payment to be paid from mid-November
Loan shark dangers and support against them
People can feel pressured to pay for things and they might think a loan would help them out during this cost of living crisis. Recent statistics show one in five victims met a loan shark on social media. Loan sharks are increasingly using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, to advertise illegal loans and target potential victims.
If you believe a friend or relative is the victim of a loan shark, it can be difficult to know what to say or how you can support them. @LoanSharkNews have put together some tips and advice to help www.stoploansharks.co.uk/worried-about-someone-else
If you have suspicions someone is lending money illegally, report it to @LoanSharkNews on 0300 555 2222.
Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice are still helping and are asking people to continue to referring clients to them. They can help clients access grants, fuel vouchers, food vouchers, the Healthy Start Scheme and more. See what other help is available along with benefits calculator and budgeting tools: arunchichestercab.org.uk/where-can-i-get-support-with-cost-of-living-crisis
