Cost-of-living support

Find out what we can do to help you manage your money and get some practical tips to save money and energy.

Managing your money:

Whatever your financial situation, our Money Matters Team will work with you to give you all the support and advice you need. This includes help:

Find out more about how we can help and how to contact our Money Matters Team.

Welfare Benefits:

Check your entitlement to welfare benefits, you can be working and entitled to additional support so don’t let that stop you checking. 

Pension Credit:

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners, or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:

  • have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
  • live in Great Britain

People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get:

  • a Winter Fuel Payment
  • help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount
  • help with rent and Council Tax
  • a free TV licence for those aged 75 or over
  • help with the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
  • reduced broadband and phone costs

Check your eligibility and how to claim 

Spending plans:

Planning your spending can help you to look at where you can save. The first vital step in taking control of your finances is to create your own personal budget plan. Our user friendly budget planner is free to use and should only take minutes to complete if you have all your financial information to hand. 

Priority bills must continue to be paid, these include:

  • rent
  • council tax
  • gas and electricity
  • TV license etc

Check if you have any priority debts

Debts:

If you are worried about debts, there are agencies to speak to for free debt advice Speaking to a trained and experienced debt adviser about your situation can help you see what the best decision for you might be.

Where to get free debt advice

Fuel or energy worries:

Groundwork’s Green Doctors can help with saving money on energy costs and staying warm and well.

The Wise Group Home Energy Advice Team can support with the most efficient way to heat your home and reduce costs.

Are you on the best tariff? Check online at www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy/ or use a switching site, some sites have different offers so get as many prices as possible using one of the following links: 

Information about fuel allowances and eligibility 

Food:

Planning each meal, batch cooking and shopping with a list can help to save money.  Some helpful sites with easy recipes, shopping lists and even social media videos to help you cook include:

Finding local affordable food can help to make your money go further. Lower cost food pantries could help you to lower your food costs.

Free school meals can save on average £400 per year per child, check if you are eligible and apply for free school meals

TV, Telephone and Broadband:

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. Take a look at the list of available tariffs.

Speak to your provider and ask for a better deal, haggling is the new trend! 

Water:

Did you know Gentoo can apply to Northumbrian Water for a Water Rate Reduction for those on a low income or welfare benefits? If you don’t already get a reduction, get in touch with your Neighbourhood Coordinator or the Money Matters Team for help to apply.

Council Tax:

Your Council Tax bill can be reduced through Council Tax Reduction or if you have certain circumstances (i.e. Single Person Discount, Disabled, Students etc). 

Find out if you're eligible for Council Tax discounts, exemptions, or relief

Make a claim to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Rent:

A benefit check is the best way to make sure you are maximising your income.  The eligible rent is the amount you pay not including the water and sewerage. 

If you are worried about this, please speak to your Neighbourhood Coordinator.

Improving income through work:

Our benefit check will show you how earning more will impact any income you already have. Remember, school age children 16 – 18 can work and will not pay any tax. If they are in full time education (this does not include apprenticeships) the parents’ welfare benefits will not be impacted. So, your child can help by getting a part time job and it will help to build their skills too.

Out of Work? The Wise Group might be able to help to get you in the right place to start to look for work.

In work? Talk to your employer about in work apprenticeships to develop your skills and get you moving up the ladder.

Develop your skills through free online courses or adult learning courses.

https://sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/courses/adult-learning/

Arrange a course in your workplace through The Sunderland Skills and Inclusion Programme (SSIP).

Domestic Violence and Abuse:

If you are at immediate risk call 999.  We know that this time of year can be the most difficult for survivors or abuse, you can talk to your Neighbourhood Coordinator who will put you in contact with our support team or access a number of services available in the community or by telephone.  

Save the number in your phone as someone's name that you will remember, so you can call when you are ready.  

WWIN: Specialist Domestic Abuse Service

WWIN: Specialist Domestic Abuse Services (also known as Wearside Women in Need) have a range of accessible services, so you can choose the support that's right for you. They can help you explore your options and support you along the path you choose, at a pace that suits you. WWIN's services include:

  • Practical and emotional support
  • Safe places to stay
  • Support for children and young people
  • Counselling
  • Groups

For more information on WWIN's services please visit: www.wwin.org.uk

If you'd like to know more about domestic abuse or how WWIN can help you can call them on 0191 416 3550 during office hours. You can also speak to them online or complete an online referral here: WWIN - Talk to us

​You can also call WWIN on their helpline 0800 066 5555 which is a freephone number. This number is available out of hours between 9am and 9pm each day.

Findaway

Worried about someone else's relationship?

Findaway can help you find the information and skills you need if you're worried someone you know is being controlled, scared, or hurt by their partner, ex-partner or family member.

You can call their anonymous phoneline on 0300 140 0061 or visit their website for more information: Findaway website

Right Turn

Worried about your own behaviour?

Right Turn is a service for people who want to change the way that they behave towards their partners or ex-partners.

Right Turn can provide one-to-one work, educational programmes and support around a range of areas such as housing, finance and health, for those who are using harmful behaviours in their relationship.

Right Turn includes the Make a Change programme for people worried about their own behaviour and looking for support at an early stage

To contact Right Turn please call 0300 124 0466 or email info@rightturn.org.uk

For more information please visit their website: Right Turn website

SARC Northumbria - The Angel Centre

The Northumbria SARC offers free support and practical help to anyone in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse.

Northumbria SARC are there to help regardless of when the event happened. The service is free and confidential, and they can help you whether you wish to report to the Police or not. You will need an appointment before going to the centre.

They are available on 01922 929295 Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside of these hours please call their Pathway and Support Service on 0330 223 0099 or you can send them an email at Newcastle.sarc@nhs.net

For more information please visit their website: SARC Northumbria

Northumbria Victim & Witness Service (NWVS)

Northumbria Victim & Witness Service (NVWS) is dedicated to helping people affected by crime in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. NVWS provide victims with support after crime, regardless of who they are and their circumstances.

NVWS provides information, practical help, emotional support and guidance through the criminal justice system. They offer specialist services and support following domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime and much more. The service is independent, confidential and they offer free advice after crime.

To get support from Northumbria Victim & Witness Service, you can call them on 0800 011 3116. Alternatively, you can find out more information or fill in a contact form on their website: Northumbria Victim & Witness Service website

National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 24Hr

You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and in confidence, 24-hours a day on 0808 2000 247 or visit their website to chat online: National DA Helpline website