Cost of Living Support - Stretch it, Save it, Share it

Council Tax Energy Rebate

For this information, please see our Council Tax Energy Rebate webpage.

Help to Claim

If residents have lost their job or seen reduced hours, they might be eligible for Universal Credit. Many in-work households do not claim as they do not know what they are entitled to. 

Help to Claim is a service to help people in the early stages of a Universal Credit claim. Support is available on freephone 0800 144 8444 (Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm).

Information on Universal Credit, advance payment, and the migration from 'legacy benefits' is available on the Understanding Universal Credit website.

Pension Credit

If you are of pensioner age and not in receipt of Pension Credit, use the online pension credit calculator to see if you are eligible. This could boost your income up to £3,300 a year. 

Pension Credit claim line 0800 99 1234.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments may be awarded in special circumstances to provide additional financial help with housing costs, - payments are normally only for a limited period only.

See our webpage to read about and apply for Discretionary Housing Payments. 

Stop Loan Sharks

Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK. 

If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, we’re here to help and keep you safe. For more information see the Stop Loan Sharks website.

Household Support Fund

The Government has announced that a third Household Support Fund (HSF) grant will be made available to county councils and unitary authorities in England to support those most in need. The original HSF grant ran from 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Lincolnshire County Council received £5.46m and a further £5.46m during 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022.

Find the most up to date information on the Household Support Fund on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

Residents facing financial difficulties can also visit the Government help for households webpages for details of the other support available.

Citizens Advice - work out your budget tool

The citizens advice website has a helpful online tool that can help you understand what you’re earning and spending and where you might be able to cut costs. Find more information on the Citizens advice website.

Step Change - Making a budget

Making a budget is the first step towards taking control of your finances and getting your situation back on track. Budgeting helps you to see where your money is going, so it’s easier to make sure that you’ve covered all of the things you need to pay for. Find more information on the Step Change website.

Benefits and Money Advice

We help provide confidential advice regarding your money, welfare, and benefits. For further information please see the North Kesteven District Council Benefits and Money Advice pages- Opens in a new window.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice- Opens in a new window offer free, impartial advice on debt, benefits, employment , and housing problems. They can help households make sure you're getting all the support they are entitled to. 

Advice Line on freephone 0800 1448848 (Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm).

Money Advice and Pension Service

Government funded debt advice, budgeting tools, and money advice is provided by the Money and Pensions Service.

Money Helper- Opens in a new window offers free, impartial help with money online, over the phone on 0800 138 7777 or on WhatsApp on 07701 342 744.

Debt Advice Services

Online services are secure and you can get immediate, personalised help. Some services are available 24 hours a day. If you would rather make a phonecall, You can speak directly with an expert adviser. Telephone services are usually available weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.

• You can access free, confidential, regulated debt advice through Step Change Debt Charity or call them on 0800 138 1111.
• You could also contact National Debtline by webchat or call them on 0808 808 4000 (Monday - Friday 9am to 8pm, and Saturday 9:30am to 1pm).
• In Lincolnshire, Citizens Advice organisations deliver telephone and face-to-face debt support as part of national commission. This can be accessed locally through Debt helpline 0800 240 4420 (Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm).
• Join the many thousands of people each year in England who benefit from getting advice through the Money Adviser Network.
• The Financial Wellness Group can offer support when your finances get out of control.
• PayPlan help with contacting people you owe money to and arranging lower payments to make things more affordable.
• Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. You can call them on 0800 622 61 51.
  

Lincolnshire Rural Support Network

LRSN is a member organisation of the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) which is a collaboration of National Health Service trusts, charities, businesses, and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. We are an alliance of people and organisations coming together around one basic principle: Suicide is preventable.

Find more information on the LRSN website.

Family Action

Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country. Find more information on the Family Action website.

Support for veterans and their families

All Call Signs is an award-winning peer support network for veterans, serving military personnel and their families.

Royal British Legion Cost of Living Grants 

This programme is designed to allow the Royal British Legion to assist people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs. See if you are eligible on the Royal British Legion website.

Blue Light Together

Blue Light Together is the place for UK emergency services staff, volunteers, retirees and friends and family to find information, ideas and support to help look after your mental health. Find out more on the Blue Light Together website.

Council Tax Support

Households on low-income with under £16,000 savings or capital (unless in receipt of Pension Credit) may qualify for a discount from their council tax bill. To find out if they are entitled, they can use the Benefits Calculator- Opens in a new window.

Social Tariffs

Switching provider or accessing discounted social tariffs can help households save money. Ofcom are raising awareness of social tariffs- Opens in a new windowfrom broadband and phone packages and how people can access them. 

Anglian Water offer tariffs for low-income households- Opens in a new window with up to 50% discount on water and sewage charges.

Residents should call the Extra Care Team on 0800 232 1963 and see if they are able to switch tariff or find if there are other ways Anglian Water can help with bills.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. More information can be found on the Gov.uk website.

Energy Bills support scheme

The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme and how you can get support this winter on the Gov.uk website.

NHS Prescriptions and Health Costs

Some people are eligible for free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with other NHS costs including transport to appointments. 

Help if you heat your home using heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas

Many people are worrying about the rising cost of household energy, but if your home isn’t connected to mains gas your heating bills are likely to be growing faster than average. Find out what help you can get on the Money Helper website.

Community Lincs - heating oil prices

The heating oil scheme saves its members’ money by bringing people together to make the most of their collective buying power so reducing the price of oil and passing the benefit on to the scheme’s members. The scheme is open to households, businesses and community organisations that use oil to heat their homes and premises. Find more information on the Community Lincs website.

Dealing with rent arrears

If you are a private tenant not in receipt of benefits, Shelter is the best point of contact if you’re behind on rent. Find more information on the Shelter website.

Support for Mortgage Interest

If you are a homeowner, Citizen’s Advice can help you to claim Support for Mortgage Interest from the government (if you are eligible). Find more information on the Citizen's Advice website.

Fuel direct scheme

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be able to pay in instalments through the Fuel Direct Scheme. To set this up, contact your local Job Centre, who will call your supplier if you qualify.

Energy supplier grants

There may also be grants available to you from your energy supplier. These are run by energy companies, but you don’t necessarily need to be a customer to apply. Check out Charis Grants for a number of schemes that can provide assistance. Find a list of grants and benefits on the Citizens Advice website.

- Opens in a new windowincluding transport to appointments

Help With Food

New Life Church run a local, independent food bank- Opens in a new window covering the North Kesteven District.

Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership

Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership are are a partnership of organisations across Greater Lincolnshire, working together for greener, fairer and healthier food for all, through sustainable local action. Go to their website to find lots of information and help, including a list of foodbanks within the Lincolnshire area. You can also find opportunities to get involved with food growing in Greater Lincolnshire on their incredible edible webpage.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is a Government funded programme that provides reception to year 11 pupils who receive benefits-related free school meals in Lincolnshire access to free healthy meals and activities over the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays. Find more information on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

NHS Healthy Start Get help to buy food and milk

If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you could get help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables. Find out more and apply on the NHS website.

Sleaford Community Grocers

More and more families in Sleaford & District are facing the prospect of not knowing exactly how to provide food for their families - but Sleaford Community Grocers is here to support those who need it.  Find more information on the Sleaford Community Grocers website.

Connect to Support

Connect to Support Lincolnshire is an online information and advice library, community directory and marketplace for adults in Lincolnshire. This website is intended for adults who want to find out about local groups, activities and services within the community. If you need telephone support and/or live web chat then this is provided by Age UK via the website.

It offers signposting to groups, activities, and support within local communities on topics such as:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Housing & Independence at Home
• Carers
• Getting Out & About (Travel & Mobility)
• Volunteering & Community
• Safeguarding
• Money & Legal Matters

Telephone support and live web chat to help people navigate support is available Monday to Friday 2pm to 7pm on 0300 3030 8789. More information can be found on the Connect to Support Lincolnshire website.

Connect to Support Lincolnshire

Wellbeing Lincs

Wellbeing Lincs- Opens in a new window is a countywide service supporting adults across Lincolnshire to achieve confident, fulfilled, and independent lives. Call 01522 782140.

Help for households

Countries around the world are facing rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and matters such as the unrest in Ukraine.

We know people are worried so the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for on the Government help for households webpages- Opens in a new window.

Lincolnshire Credit Union

Credit Unions help people save money and can offer affordable loans. They are an alternative to loan sharks and pay-day enders, and can help people avoid problem debt. 

Visit nottsandlincscu.co.uk- Opens in a new window or call them on 0330 004 0842.

Turn 2 Us

Turn2us- Opens in a new window is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. The Turn2us Grants Search- Opens in a new window can help you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant or other types of help. 

Turn 2 Us also has information on where you can get assistance with the cost of white goods and other household items.