Cost of Living Support

We know the rising cost of food, energy bills and childcare can be worrying. If you are pregnant or have a child under 4 years, there are different schemes that may be able to help.

Chat with our Community Connectors

It can feel hard to talk about money worries. You are not alone. Whatever your circumstances, our Connectors are available for a friendly, confidential chat. They can help to try and lighten the load by offering tips and ideas on reducing your costs.

They can show you schemes that may be able to help your family – such as Healthy Start, Warm Hubs, local offers, information on grants and funds, and help with form filling.

Please get in touch if you would like a friendly chat with one of our connectors. Email: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

Money

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim.

People often confuse this benefit with Child Tax Credits, where you can only claim for 2 children. Child Benefit is different, it is universal.

Do I automatically receive Child Benefit?

No, you don’t automatically receive this benefit – so make sure you apply! It can only be backdated for 3 months, so it’s best to start the application process as soon as possible after you’ve registered the birth of your child, or they come to live with you.

If you’re eligible, from April 2023 you’ll get £24.00 a week for your first child and £15.90 a week for any children after that. There’s no limit to how many children you can claim.

It’s usually paid every 4 weeks but you can ask for it to be transferred weekly. 

To apply, you can either fill out a printed form or complete online Child Benefit claim form CH2.

If you need any support with your application, call us on 01253 476 789 or email betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk. Or if you spot one of our Community Connectors at an event or community space, you can ask them for help.

How can I find out if I am receiving all the benefits I am entitled to?

This online checker is an easy way to find out if you are receiving the benefits and financial support available to help you with living costs. If you need any help filling out the checker, our Community Connectors can always support you:

Check benefits and financial support you can get – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Did you know?

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can get broadband at a cheaper price than a typical deal, through providers such as Virgin, Sky, Vodafone and BT.

Universal Credit broadband deals

TalkTalk offers six months of free unlimited fibre-optic broadband to eligible jobseekers. Speak to your Jobcentre Plus advisor to find out if you qualify.

Check out the latest social tariff deals here: Discounted ‘social tariffs’ for those on certain benefits (moneysavingexpert.com)

What can discretionary support help with?

Blackpool Council’s discretionary scheme can provide short term emergency support to families under exceptional pressure.

If you are on a low income or state benefits, you may be able to apply for help such as:

  • Referral to a food bank for a food parcel
  • Top up emergency supply of gas or electric
  • Emergency travel
  • Help to become established or maintain independence in the community through aid such as bedding, essential furniture items and kitchen equipment
  • Signposting for housing and mental health

Apply here: https://blackpool-gwa.egovhub.net/launch

If you need any support filling out the online application, our Community Connectors can help you with this. You can access our Connectors at weekly drop-in sessions at Family Hubs or have a chat if you see them at any events. Alternatively, email us at betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk and we can arrange a call back.

Food

I am on a very tight budget for food shopping. Is there anywhere I can go?

Firstly, check if you are eligible for Healthy Start scheme to help towards your weekly shop. It’s worth £34 a month for the first year of your baby’s life and £17 per month during your pregnancy and between ages 1 and 4 years. For more information on applying: Healthy Start – Blackpool Better Start

£0
A month for your baby’s 1st year
£0
A month during pregnancy and ages 1-4 years

Low-cost pantries can be a great help:

  • Blackpool Community Grocery allows you to shop for £4 each time. They offer fresh fruit and veg, bakery items and canned, freezer and chilled goods. https://communitygrocery.org.uk/blackpool/
  • If you live on Grange Park, you can sign up to the free Winter Warm Club and access the food pantry at @The Grange. You’ll be able to choose 10 items for £2.50. A discounted hot meal is available daily in the café, as well as free use of their tumble driers: At the grange Blackpool | Facebook
  • The Big Food Truck is a low cost weekly food scheme supporting families managing on a low budget. You will need to sign up to membership first, then you will be texted weekly to see if you’d like to make an order. You can order a single bag for £4, three bags for a family at £6.50 or six bags for a large family at £13. The value of all bags is a lot more than the payment. Find out how to sign up and the locations of The Big Food Truck, where you collect your bags from here: www.thebigfoodtruck.co.uk

Find a full list of services and organisations offering help with food here in Blackpool ⇢ bit.ly/FYI-cost-of-living

If you have no essential food and need short term emergency support, Blackpool Council Discretionary Support Scheme, may be able to arrange a food parcel. For more information on applying: https://blackpool-gwa.egovhub.net/launch

Childcare

Parents can get funded childcare hours for children aged 9 months to four years old.  Lots of nurseries and childminders in Blackpool accept these hours.

This helpful table shows the funding available for your child at different ages and how to apply.

What is a working parent?

A working parent earns the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum wage. If it is a two-parent household both parents must meet these criteria unless one claims carers allowance, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance.

Other help with childcare costs

Universal credit childcare for ages 0-16

If you are already claiming universal credit and you are a working parent, you may be eligible to claim back 85% of your childcare costs. With this scheme you pay for your childcare upfront then provide evidence to get it paid back to you.

If you live with a partner, you both need to be in paid work, unless your partner can’t look after your children.

You can also get help with upfront costs with the Flexible Support Fund if you are just starting work or if you are increasing your work hours.

Contact Universal Credit, your work coach or go to a Job Centre to get help with applying for either of these schemes.

Tax free childcare

If you are a working parent and don’t claim any benefits you can get 20% top up on the cost of childcare. You pay into your online tax-free childcare account, the government tops that amount up by 20%, then you would pay your childcare setting through that account. You can get a maximum top-up of £500 every three months. Check with your childcare provider they are set up for tax free childcare before you apply.

My child is the right age, why can I not use my funded hours yet?

Your funded hours start the term after your child turns the eligible age.

  • Meets the age between 1st April – 31 August – access from September
  • Meets the age between 1st September – 31st December – access from January
  • Meets the age between 1st January – 31st March – access from April

Energy

Welcoming places are community groups, libraries and some local churches, halls and community cafes. They come in all shapes and sizes to provide families with free, safe places to keep warm, save on energy bills and reduce isolation. Some offer free hot drinks, whilst others provide social activities, information on the cost of living and free wi-fi.

Visit fyidirectory.co.uk and search ‘welcoming places’.

It’s a really good idea to sign up to this free service. Energy companies have registers of vulnerable customers who would be most at risk if their power was cut off. This includes older people, people with illnesses or disabilities, pregnant women and families with young children.

Being on the Priority Services Register protects you from disconnection if you struggle to pay your energy bills or top up. If your pre-payment meter runs out over the weekend, you will not be cut off, giving you chance to top up when you are next able to.

It also helps to make sure priority support is available in emergencies, such as providing heating and cooking facilities in the event of power cuts.

Contact your energy company and ask if you can be added to their Priority Services Register.  If you have a different supplier for your gas and electricity, you’ll need to get in touch with them both. You can also contact United Utilities to be added to the list for your water supply.

There is a new website to help you easily sign up to the Priority Services Register. All you need is your postcode and they will show you how to sign up on your suppliers websites.  Take a look here: https://www.thepsr.co.uk/

You don’t need to be in arrears to apply for this fund, just have less than £3,000 in savings:

  • £200 for qualifying households of one or two people (including children)
  • £300 to qualifying households of three or more people (including children).

If successful, awards will appear as a credit on your bill or pre-payment electric or gas meter.

There is no requirement to be in receipt of Universal Credit or other DWP benefits to apply for this fund.

To find out more and apply: Household support fund (blackpool.gov.uk)

 

If you are struggling or begin falling behind with your energy bills, the best thing to do is contact your supplier as soon as possible. If they know you have a problem, they will work with you to find a solution. They may be able to review your bill and payment plan or provide information on hardship funds available.

If you’re on a pre-payment meter and you can’t afford to top up, contact your gas or electricity supplier immediately. You can ask for ‘emergency credit’. Your supplier’s contact details are on the back of your bill or on their website.

If you are pregnant or have children under the age of 5, ask your supplier to add you to their Priority Services Register. This means you’ll be able to get extra support.

Did you know? You can get confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt or money problems from Citizens Advice Blackpool. Call 01253 308405 to book an appointment or for advice via email visit: blackpoolcab.org.uk

 

Did you know?

Green Doctor is a fantastic local scheme that can help qualifying Blackpool residents save money and energy.

Green Doctor is a fantastic local scheme that can help qualifying Blackpool residents save money and energy through support such as:

  • Applying for grants to write off existing fuel debt
  • Referrals for loft insulation and boiler installations
  • Providing energy saving devices for the home

Pop along to @The Grange, Dinmore Avenue, FY3 7RW, on Tuesdays 10am-12pm to find out more.

You can phone 0330 1740863, or email greendoctor.clm@groundwork.org.uk to find out more.

 

Did you know?

Cosy Homes in Lancashire can help with a range of money saving energy measures to help you keep warm and save money.

If you own your home there is still help available. Cosy Homes in Lancashire can help with a range of money saving energy measures to help you keep warm and save money. Find out if you are eligible for measures such as window and door upgrades, loft and cavity wall insultation and boiler installations.

Phone 03306 061 488 or visit www.chil.uk.com

Mental Health Support

I am feeling overwhelmed by my worries. What can I do?

Money worries can have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing. If you’re having to make hard decisions about what you can afford, it’s normal to feel anxious or low. Whilst it can be scary to open up, talking to someone about your worries can be helpful.

You can get confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt problems by calling the National Debtline free on 0808 808 4000.

If you need support with your mental health, there is local help available. You are not alone.

Our Community Connectors can help signpost to local support when you are ready, such as Blackpool Talking Therapies who can help provide talking therapy, online courses about managing stress and other resources.

Our Connectors are always there and available for an informal chat if you feel that may help. You can contact them by sending an email to betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk or leaving a message on our Facebook page.

More useful places of support 

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. Citizen's Advice believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. That’s why they are there: to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

For advice via email please visit www.blackpoolcab.org.uk or call 01253 308405 for a face-to-face appointment.

They also have a local debt advice hotline. You can get benefit checks, debt and energy advice via the British gas energy trust scheme and you will be given a dedicated advisor from start to finish. Call 01253 308401

Boiler Grants

Free and heavily subsidised boilers are available to low-income households and single parents who meet the qualifying criteria. If you are in receipt of tax credits and your income is below £16,010 then you could qualify.

To find out if you are eligible, you will need to complete a simple online application form and they will be able to put you in touch with an approved, local installer who can assist you further. Free Boiler for Single Parents & Low-Income Families | Tax Credits | Boiler Grants 2020

Blackpool Talking Therapies Service

Blackpool Talking Therapies offers talking therapies in a variety of ways including face-to-face meetings, telephone sessions, in groups or online.

They can help if you are experiencing any of the following;

  • Feeling low and tearful
  • Feeling depressed
  • Feeling panicky
  • Excessive worrying
  • Feeling anxious or stressed
  • Sleep problems
  • Unhelpful or distressing thoughts
  • Fear of specific objects or situations.

Call 01253 955700 or you can request help online: access here

Blackpool Light Lounge

The Light Lounge is a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for individuals struggling socially and emotionally with life challenges or for those in a mental health crisis.

Face to face drop ins: Monday to Friday from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm.

259 Whitegate Drive
Blackpool
FY3 9JL

For appointments or to find out more:

📧Blackpool.Haven@waythrough.org.uk
📞 01253713277 (open 10am-10pm, 7 days a week)
Online: https://bit.ly/3xOHbVS
Energy Fund

Little Book of Warm

Energy bills are on the rise and it can be very worrying for many people who are on a tight budget, wondering how they are going to afford to heat their homes. The Little Book of Warm outlines some of the simple actions you can take to help cut the cost of your energy bills.

Cosy Homes in Lancashire have put together this guide to help you save energy, save money, stay healthy and improve the environment.

Read the Little Book of Warm here.