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Cost of Living Support

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We and our partners are here to help you with the cost of living.

Through the Household Support Fund and other schemes, we can help with energy costs, food, household goods and warm community spaces this winter.

View the different schemes available below. We have also provided information on organisations that can help you with financial and debt advice plus a calculator to help you understand what benefits you may be eligible for.

Household Support Fund

Funded by the UK Government, the Household Support Fund continues to run until 31 March 2025. It is for anyone who is struggling with the cost of living and paying for essentials. You may be able to get help with food, energy bills and essential items.

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Energy schemes

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Cost of Living Support Hubs (including food help)

We have set up Cost of Living Support Hubs across Peterborough with our community partners. They are for any resident in our city struggling with the cost of living. 

All hubs offer food support. Many of them also offer social activities and can help with essential items.

Find out more on our Cost of Living Support Hubs page.

Foodbanks can also help with short-term needs. Visit the Trussell Trust website to find your nearest foodbank.

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Vouchers and activities for the school holidays

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Check what benefits you could be eligible for

Use the Entitled to benefits calculator to find out which benefits you might be eligible for. Enter your details in the calculator and you'll receive an estimate of your entitlement for benefits. The calculator is free and independent to use.

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Government's Help for households

Visit the Government's Help for Households website to find out information on other support and schemes that you may be eligible for.

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WorkWell - employment support

The WorkWell scheme provides support to anyone that is struggling to remain in work due to physical health, mental health or social barriers such as long-term health conditions. The scheme will run until 31 March 2026.

Work and Health Coaches can provide support in a range of ways to help you thrive in your current workplace or explore alternative options.

To access the scheme and receive independent support and advice, visit the Joy app. 

WorkWell is available for anyone who is:

  • 16+ years old
  • Lives or is registered to a GP anywhere within Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston
  • Has the right to work within the UK
  • Anyone experiencing barriers to employment due to health conditions/disabilities, physical, mental, or social barriers. Mental health difficulties do not need to be formally diagnosed
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Care Zone furniture bank

Care Zone is a furniture bank run by KingsGate Community Church. It offers essential furniture to households in financial crisis who have no other means of getting items such as beds and sofas etc. The second-hand and pre-loved furniture has been donated by the public.

Care Zone works with referral partners to identify people who need support. They use a referral system. You will need to contact one of the following services / organisations to get referred:

  • If you are a tenant of any of the social landlords, they are registered to make referrals. Contact your Housing Officer / Housing Association for more information.
  • At Peterborough City Council, our Family Hubs or your assigned Housing Officer can make referrals.
  • Cost of Living Support Hubs may be able to help you with other support as well as a Care Zone referral.

Further financial help and advice

  • 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.
  • Peterborough Information Network - Practical information to help you manage electricity and gas bills and information and advice on how to stay well this winter.

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

You should report scams, fraud and cybercrime to Action Fraud:

Online via the Action Fraud website

Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2010

  • 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.
Last updated: 20 December 2024