Support available for the cost of living

Many people are being affected by the rising cost of living, but it’s important to know that help and support is available.

We are proud to have partnered up with entitledto, the UK’s leading provider in helping people in financial need, to bring you useful tools to help you better manage your money and find out what benefits you are eligible for.

Budgeting Tool 

Our Budgeting Tool is a useful way to help you take control of your finances by working out exactly where your money is being spent, and how much you’ve got coming in.

This tool is free to use and will only take a few minutes to complete, all you need to do is have your financial information on hand whilst completing the form. To use our Budgeting Tool, please click here.

Benefits Calculator

Could you be missing out on benefits that could help boost your income and make a big difference? Our Benefits Calculator is a free and easy to use tool which lets you check what benefits you may be eligible for and how much you could claim.

It only takes a few minutes to complete, and the calculator will work out if you can claim any financial help based on your income and savings. The details you provide are anonymous. To use our Benefits Calculator, please click here.   

Support provided by the government in 2023

You might be able eligible for payments provided by the government to help with the cost of living. If you qualify, most of these payments will be made automatically and you will not need to apply or give your bank details. The following government support has been announced for 2023:

Up to £900 Cost of Living Payment

Households on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, will receive a payment totalling up to £900 which will be made automatically in three payments The first of these payments for £301 will be made between 25^th April and 17^th May with the second in autumn, and the final payment in the spring of 2024.

The £301 payment will be sent out automatically and directly to recipients, meaning those eligible do not need to apply or do anything to receive it. The payment reference for bank accounts will be DWP COLP, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number. 

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

If you receive disability benefits, you will receive a one-off £150 payment during summer 2023 to help with extra costs.

£150 or £300 for Pensioner Households

If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.

Please click here to find out more about government payments.

You are not alone

We understand that these are very challenging times for people, and everyone’s situations are different, but it is important to remember that you are not alone, and help is available. We have a dedicated Cost of Living Support page, which provides useful information on what support is available to you.