Cost of living crisis in Rossendale
Benefits and Debt Advice
Make sure you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to, and get help with debt issues, contact Citizen’s Advice on 0808 2787 975
More information on other sources of support can be found in the ‘Worrying about money - Support is available in Rossendale’ leaflet.
Struggling to pay your fuel bills
If you are falling behind with your energy bills, and finding yourself struggling to pay, the best thing to do is contact your supplier as soon as possible. Under rules from regulator Ofgem, your supplier has to help you – usually by negotiating a payment plan that you can afford.
There is a range of options suppliers could offer if you are struggling, including:
- A full payment plan review
- Affordable debt repayment plans
- Payment breaks (though this won't be right for everyone)
- Payment reductions
- More time to pay
- Access to hardship funds which only your supplier can access
What help you can get is decided on a case-by-case basis, but importantly, repayment must be based on your ability to pay. So get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible.
If you are still struggling with debt, your supplier may suggest putting you on a prepayment meter. However, your supplier can only do this if it has explored all other options first, so you should always contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Citizen’s Advice East Lancashire
Citizen’s Advice can help you manage your energy debt and negotiate with your supplier. They may also be able to help with free top up vouchers for prepayment meters. There is help and support online at Citizens Advice Rossendale — Citizens Advice East Lancashire (cael.org.uk) or phone 0808 278 7975
Rossendale Valley Energy
Rossendale Valley Energy offers a free energy advice service that can help local residents get free energy advice and ongoing support. They can help you understand your energy bills and see if there are ways to reduce them. They can also help you access energy grants for your home.
Find out more at Energy Advice Fairer Warmth - Rossendale Valley Energy (rvenergy.org.uk) Text/WhatsApp: 07887 001472 or phone 01706 392646
Lancashire Women
This Lancashire-wide service offers FREE support to help you stay warm, whilst reducing your energy bills. Available to women, families and vulnerable people across Lancashire.
Find out more at Energy Advice - Lancashire Women Phone 0300 330 1354 or email TalkToUs@lancashirewomen.org
Homewise
Homewise offer practical help and support to older, disabled and vulnerable homeowners to help them repair, improve and adapt their homes.
They deliver Affordable Warmth activity on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council. These grants help to repair and replace faulty and old boilers and poor windows and doors.
Funding may be available for Rossendale residents through the Affordable Warmth Fund for:
Servicing, repairs and replacement boilers and heating systems and associated works, including controls and replacement of unsafe heating appliances
Households will be eligible for funding if they meet at least one of the following vulnerabilities and have a low income, defined as follows.
Vulnerabilities:
• People with diagnosed cardiovascular conditions
• People with a diagnosed respiratory conditions (in particular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and childhood asthma)
• People with diagnosed mental health conditions
• People with diagnosed disabilities
• Older people (65 and older)
• Households with young children (up to the age of 5)
• Pregnant women
• People who are terminally ill
• People with suppressed immune systems (e.g. from cancer treatment or HIV)
• People who have attended hospital due to a fall
Low income can be confirmed in one of the following three ways:
• Someone is in receipt of means tested benefits
• Have a total household income not in excess of £31,000
• A 'declaration' by the Local Authority or health / social care professional that affordability issues are present.
This fund is being managed on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council by the Homewise Society.
For more information and support contact the Homewise Society at info@homewisesociety.org.uk
Homewise can also access further assistance to help people via Rossendale Borough Council’s Emergency works grants. These grants can assist with roof work, poor electrical wiring and anything else that presents a risk to safety.
The team also make referrals to East Lancs Citizens’ Advice for energy advice and fuel vouchers, and links people into other Homewise services as required, things like the handyperson and small repairs service.
Find out more at About Us – Homewise (homewiseonline.org) or ring 01254 232249
Newground Together
Newground Together can support and provide energy saving advice to Together Housing tenants. As part of a Home Assessment, they will look at tenants energy bills to help understand and manage them, they will also support in switching providers if that is the best thing to do. As part of the Home Assessment, the Energy Advisor will advise on how to save energy throughout the home. Tenants are also given several complimentary energy items. Phone 0300 330 5535 for more information (Together Housing tenants only) or email: hello@newground.co.uk
Cosy Homes in Lancashire
Find out if you are eligible for energy grants at Free Energy Saving Grants | Cosy Homes in Lancashire (chil.uk.com)
Other help is available online:
The Government have set up a webpage with details of energy saving tips How to save energy and lower your bills - Help for Households
The Energy Saving Trust has an online calculator that shows how much you can save by making some quick and easy changes at home Quick tips to save energy at home - Energy Saving Trust
Lancashire County Council Cost of Living Information Hub
More information about help with cost of living crisis can be found at:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-of-living/