The Government has announced a package of support to help households with rising energy bills.

The scheme is for households in England whose primary residence is valued in Council Tax bands A-D. You will not need to pay it back and it will not be treated as income for tax or benefit purposes. You will be entitled to one £150 payment per household.

You can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments if you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and require help to:

• Meet the shortfall between the Housing Benefit or Universal Credit paid and the eligible rent

• Cover the cost of moving to a more affordable property

• Cover rent arrears that are putting your tenancy at risk

You can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments if you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and require help to:

• Meet the shortfall between the Housing Benefit or Universal Credit paid and the eligible rent

• Cover the cost of moving to a more affordable property

• Cover rent arrears that are putting your tenancy at risk

You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home, for example to:

• improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom

• widen doors and install ramps

• provide a heating system suitable for your needs

• adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

  A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get.

Access free help and guidance including:

• Advice phone call

• Home visit by a qualified advisor

• Draughtproofing advice

• Energy-saving kit

• LED bulbs

• Advice on energy tariffs

• Referrals for other improvements

For more information call 01768 216 500

British Gas Energy Trust: Customers of any energy supplier can apply for grants toward the cost of their energy bills. Apply online using the button below.

Citizens Advice provide free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice on a wide range of areas including debt, benefits, employment, housing, relationships, consumer issues, and any other problems.

In Ulverston and South Lakeland call: 0808 2787 984

In Barrow Borough call:
0808 2787 817

As energy prices hit an all-time high, there are people all across Cumbria worrying about how they are going to afford to keep their homes warm this winter.

Across Furness there are groups who are providing warm, welcome spaces:

Cumbria County Council provide an online directory of warm spaces:………… https://new.cumbria.gov.uk/warm-spots

Wrap Up Cumbria South Cumbria...............07917 640025

Spring Mount Walney Community Trust.......01229 471676

St James' Church....................northbarrowchurches.org.uk

Ulverston Warm Space, at Ulverston Parish church on Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 4.30pm

Ulverston leisure centre on Monday afternoons

Emmanuel church opposite Morrisons is open Fridays 1-4 pm

Amidst the pressures on the cost of living, many families find it difficult to afford their broadband services. However, Ofcom’s recent analysis shows that only 1-2% of households on Universal Credit have taken them up, meaning that many people are missing out on broadband savings.

Social tariff products are £10-£20 per month cheaper and these represent around a 50% saving from the average cost of broadband.

Spring Mount Walney Community Trust has a small fund available to help people to make their energy bill payments. For more information call 01229 471 676.

For support with your water bills, call United Utilities on 0800 07 67 65 or visit https://myaccount.unitedutilities.com/difficultypayingbill

Stagecoach is offering jobseeker discounts to help people actively seeking employment to get back on board and back into work. If you’re a jobseeker who has a Jobcentre Plus travel card, you can get half price single and return tickets.

There are multiple agencies in Furness, and across Cumbria who can help you if you find yourself in unmanageable debt.

Cumbria Law Centre....................cumbrialawcentre.org.uk

Citizens Advice, Barrow..............................0808 278 78 17

Citizens Advice, South Lakes.......................015394 46 464

Step Change..................................................0800 138 1111

Credit Union................................................ 01282 69 13 33