Here to help - cost of living

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Help and support with the cost of living

Peterborough City Council and our partners are Here to Help. Offering practical support and advice to anyone who needs it.

  • Try our online assessment tool to see what you are missing out on, and links to relevant information based on your circumstances.
  • Prefer to speak to someone - visit or call our network of community support hubs.
  • Check out the local funding available - such as the household support fund.
  • Finally we have included links to other schemes and support available nationally
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Household Support Fund vouchers

Are you worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food and transport? You are not alone; the cost of living crisis is affecting many of us. You may want help accessing grants and debt advice, support getting all the money you're entitled to, or simply want to know more about the government's recent support measures.

Whatever your cost of living worries may be, we've gathered some local and national information for you below.

Check the government 'Help for Households' website for all the support measures and funding available nationally. For example:

  • Support with your energy bills
  • Cost of Living Payment
  • Support if you’re disabled or have a health condition
  • Find help with your household costs
  • Help with childcare costs
  • Income support
  • Travel costs
  • Energy saving tips and opportunities to save money
Help-for-households1

  • Citizens Advice provide a wide variety of help and advice including debt and money. They can give you the information you need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice website
  • Making Money Count offers everyday help with money, finding work and renting. Reliable and easy to follow information brought to you by organisations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Includes tips and advice on money, bills and debt, check entitlements, shopping deals, budgeting, keeping track of money, energy saving tips. Making Money Count website
  • Money Advice Service is a free and impartial money advice service, set up by the government. It includes information on debt, budgeting and benefits. Money Advice Service website
  • Turn 2 Us is a national charity to help you when times get tough, providing financial support to get back on track. They have lots of useful information and tools on their website such as a benefits calculator, managing low incomes, grant search and looking for work. Turn 2 Us website.
  • Money Helper – Free guidance backed by the HM Government – subjects include benefits, family, money troubles, everyday money, homes, work - including a budget planner
  • Christians Against Poverty (CAP) – a charity providing free debt help, find a job or gain vital life skills, every working day to help you find a practical, lasting solution to debt and poverty. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) website or call (free) 0800 328 0006
  • National Pension Advisors advise on what pension you will have to live on when you leave employment or retire for any reason. National Pension Advisors.

  • Low-cost broadband deals and mobile tariffs - If you’re a low-income family, you could be eligible for a discounted broadband service. Some providers offer reduced social tariffs for households and existing customers claiming government benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support, so they can pay less for internet and telecoms access. The Connecting Cambridgeshire website has links to useful information about how to get reduced broadband and mobile tariffs.
  • Free public access Wifi - Connecting Cambridgeshire is expanding CambWifi, its free public access Wifi service, to help people get online, support local businesses and make it easier for everyone to access vital public services. The programme is working with partners to increase free public access Wifi provision in public buildings like libraries, open spaces, market town centres and village halls in rural areas. Find out where you can get online for free by searching on the CambWifi map.

Cost of living scams

We urge you to be wary of scammers taking advantage of the cost of living crisis.

Which? has produced a list of 5 cost of living scams to watch out for

Money Saving Expert has compiled a similar list

You should report scams, fraud and cyber crime to Action Fraud: