Cost of Living Help
You will no doubt have seen a lot of coverage and discussion on the recent cost of living increases, and if you’re like us, this really hits home during weekly food shops and when utility bills come through the door.
Support, relief and advice is out there. Some of this will happen automatically, others you will need to apply for. We’ve summarised the main points and organisations who can help below:
The Energy Bill Support Scheme (£400 grant) will be going to all households with a domestic energy connection. It will appear as a credit from energy suppliers from October 2022.
£650 one off Cost of Living payment will be made in two instalments from 14th July to anyone in receipt of: Universal Credit, Income based Jobseekers Allowance, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit.
The £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will be made to any household in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment.
The £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment will be made in September to any one in receipt of: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Scottish Disability Benefits, Armed Forces Independence Payments, Constant Attendance Allowance or War Pension Mobility Supplement.
A council tax rebate will provide a payment of £150 to households living in council tax bands A – D. This will happen automatically, anyone outside of bands A-D can apply directly to the council for additional support
Pinnacle’s Financial Inclusion Team
Pinnacle has its own financial inclusion team, who provide a wide range of support to residents, including help to understand any benefits entitlements and applying for additional support when it’s needed, debt management strategies and other general financial advice. The team is headed up by Martin Keating, who recently secured an additional £18,000 in backdated housing benefit for a Pinnacle resident. You can contact him via martin.keating@pinnaclegroup.co.uk or 020 3771 0150.
Food
We are lucky to have our own pantry on Myatts Field North, open Tuesdays 11-2pm and offering 10 items of fresh fruit and vegetable and another 10 cupboard essentials for only £5! If you’re finding it hard to put food on the table, please do come down and the helpful team will happily sign you up.
If you're at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you might be able to get free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk.
Ask your midwife or health visitor for an application form. You can also call the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823 and ask them to send you a form.
Get help paying your rent
If Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn't cover all your rent, you could make a claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) to help pay your rent.
To apply online, just google ‘Lambeth DHP’ or call them on 020 7926 6000.
Other Sources of of Help
Lightningreach.org is an online portal designed to make it easier and quicker to understand and apply for additional financial support, complete your profile in 10-15 minutes and see what help is out there.
Moneyhelper.org.uk is a site fully funded by the government. You can either access it online using your smartphone, laptop or desk PC, or chat live to them via web chat.
Nationaldebtline.org is a site that can help you with any arising debt. They can help you with budgeting, they provide an excellent fact sheet and a good selection of sample letters where you can write to your creditors explaining your situation and come to a more affordable arrangement.
Citizens Advice (formerly Citizens Advice Bureau) can get you on the right path with a wide range of issues.
Samaritans.org a phone service with someone always on the other end of the phone to talk if you need help.
