Help with finances

Holistic Service

We have launched a new holistic service to support those who are struggling with the cost of living. This is delivered by a dedicated team of trained advisors - our Supporting You team. Our team is able to support people with a range of challenging issues at once. You can contact the team on supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk or 01243 534860.

If you don't have enough money to live on, you might be eligible to get further help.

You should check if you can claim benefits - you may be able to do this even if you work, have savings, or own a home.

What benefits you may be eligible for

Lots of people miss out on benefits they are entitled to. There are benefit calculators that you may find useful.

The better off calculator (opens new window) shows you how much benefit you are eligible for and how much better off you might be in work.
The Turn2us benefits calculator (opens new window) offers a quick look at what benefits and other financial help on offer.

Claiming benefits might also let you get access to other financial help, like Discretionary Council Tax Reduction, and discounts on energy and transport.

You might be able to claim benefits or increase your current benefits if you are:

Over 16 years old with a low income or no income.
Sick or disabled, including if you have a mental health condition.
Of State Pension age with a low income or no income.
A carer.
Responsible for children.

Universal credit and housing benefit

If you are a resident on a low income, or out of work or cannot work, then you can claim universal credit. This monthly payment is intended to help cover living costs, such as rent and bills.

Universal credit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (opens new window).

If you receive Universal Credit and your circumstances have recently changed, it's also worth updating these details through your online account as this may mean you can access more support.

If you are of state pension age, and/or live in supported sheltered or temporary accommodation, then you won't be eligible for Universal Credit but can instead apply for benefits.

An easy way to find out what benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit you are entitled to is by using a benefit calculator.

Unable to meet rent payments

If you already receive the housing payment through universal credit or housing benefit and are still unable to meet the cost of your rent, you might be eligible for a top up payment. Please visit discretionary housing payments.

Help available towards council tax payments

We are urging those who claim universal credit to check if they are also eligible for help with their council tax. You can do this by applying for our Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Council tax reduction is a means tested benefit and does not take account of outgoings.

You will not automatically receive this payment. If you think you may be eligible, visit My account.

Whatever your situation, please contact us if you are struggling to pay your council tax bill. You can contact us by emailing taxation@chichester.gov.uk. We also offer council tax discounts.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a tax-free payment for people of state pension age. This support can top up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £201.05 a week for single pensioners or £306.85 for couples.

If you or someone you know, are of state pension age, we encourage you to use the government's pension credit calculator (opens new window) to find out how much you could be eligible for.

There are a few myths around pension credits, so it is important to mention that people can still access this support even if they:

Have not paid National Insurance contributions.
Have savings or a small pension.
Live with their grown-up family.
Own their own home.

Extra support for carers

You could get £69.70 a week Carers Allowance (opens new window) if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Support for individuals in work with a health condition

The Government's Access to Work scheme (opens new window) can pay for extra support to help individuals start or stay in work. The support is available for those with health conditions (either mental or physical), or a disability that affects them at work. An Access to Work grant does not need to be paid back and could pay for a range of different support that an individual may need.

Check to see if you're eligible on the website. The Government has also produced a scheme guide. (opens new window).

Letting us know about a change in income

If your income has changed and you receive Housing Benefit, a council tax discount, or any other benefit, please make sure that you tell us of any changes to your income.

Getting your first benefit payment early

When you apply for benefits, you might be able to get your first payment early while you are waiting for either:

a decision on your application
your first payment
This is called a 'short-term benefit advance'. You can get an advance for:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Carer's Allowance
- Pension Credit
- State Pension

You will need to pay back the advance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will take an amount off your future payments until you have paid it back. For Universal Credit, you can spread the repayments over 24 months. For other benefits, you will usually repay your advance over 12 weeks.

If you have applied for Universal Credit, you can check how to get a Universal Credit advance payment (opens new window).

If you need support claiming or checking what benefits you may be eligible for, please contact the team on supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk or 01243 534860.

Debt management help

If you are worried about debts or missed payments, we recommend you contact Money Helper (opens new window), which is a free and independent debt advice service sponsored and supported by the Government.

Money Helper brings together some of the country's best known debt advice providers to offer confidential and trusted help straight away. You will not need to pay for the advice you receive and using the service won't affect your credit rating.

If you are worried about paying a council debt, please get in touch with us by emailing supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk or alternatively, phoning 01243 534860.

Help to pay your energy bills

You might be able to save money on your energy bills by switching to a different supplier, or to a different tariff (opens new window) with your current supplier.

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter, you might be able to get help. For example, a fuel voucher or a grant from your energy supplier. For further information please visit help with energy bills.

Check how to make your home more energy efficient

If your home is energy efficient, you will pay less to heat your home and it will stay warm for longer. It is a good idea to look into making your home more energy efficient at any time of the year. This is because it can take a few months to sort things out.

You might be able to apply for help with the cost of:

A new boiler
Boiler repairs
Loft or cavity wall insulation
A heat pump

Please check if you can get help with the cost of energy efficiency.

Help with essential costs

Chichester District Council can offer one-off support with essential costs like food and essential items. This is solely dependant on available funding and eligibility, clients would need to be engaging with the Supporting You Team and complete a budgeting sheet so we can identify other areas of support available, with our main aim of empowering you with longer term solutions. This help is known as the 'Household Support Fund'.

There are also other things you can do if you're struggling to afford essentials like rent or food. If you are struggling to pay for food, you might be able to get a referral to a food bank. We also work in partnership with Community Food Hub (opens new window) which anyone can access for food provision, and you do not need a referral.

If you are finding things difficult

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You should talk to your GP if your money problems are affecting your mental health. You can find other ways to get help with your mental health at Mind (opens new window).

If you need to speak to someone you can speak to a trained volunteer at organisations like Samaritans or Shout.

Samaritans

You can call the Samaritans (opens new window) helpline on 116 123. The helpline is available Monday to Sunday, at any time, and calls to Samaritans are free.

Shout

You can also text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout volunteer. Texts are free, anonymous and confidential from anywhere in the UK.

If you think it is an emergency, your life or someone else's is at risk, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you can.

Supporting You leaflet

The rise in the cost of living has impacted on all of us in many ways. Whether you are struggling to pay bills, feel isolated, or are concerned about rising energy costs, the council and our partners are here to help.

We have produced a new leaflet called Supporting You, which aims to highlight key information.

Supporting You leaflet (PDF) [321KB]

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