Below are some of the schemes available if you or someone you know is struggling with the cost of living. Further information about local assistance is also available, follow the links below for your community area:
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – also Warm Welcomes in Dorset
- Dorset – also Warm Welcomes in Dorset
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership)
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) is a FREE home visit scheme to assist residents throughout Dorset and BCP with free energy advice, energy saving devices, along with access to other improvements like heating upgrades, insulation, free appliances and replacement boilers. Click here for more information.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme – you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, known as the ‘core group’, or you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme, known as the ‘broader group’.
The scheme starts in November each year – for more information, visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Cold Weather Payment
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you already receive one of these benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. For more information, see www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Winter Fuel Payments
You may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment for 2024 – 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024. For more information, see www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Government Help for Households campaign
See the various cost of living support you may be eligible for: www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk
Other help available
- General from Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living
- Various grants: www.grantsonline.org.uk/cost-of-living-grants.html
- National Energy Action: www.nea.org.uk/get-help
- Shelter: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
- Charitable grants that may be available to people who don’t qualify for other support: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/