Currently, we're experiencing a substantial rise in the cost of living but if you are struggling to cope financially and need assistance, you may find help through the following services.
Wiltshire Council has created an online interactive community directory to help you find out what warm spaces and community food providers there are in the county to support you through the cost-of-living challenges.
To find out what support is available on your doorstep, and across the county, please visit Supporting you through the rising cost of living - Wiltshire Council.
A household is said to be in fuel poverty if their required fuel costs are above the national average or if the household is left below the official poverty line after paying for fuel.
There are grants and schemes available to help you cover the costs of your fuel bills.
The energy regulator OFGEM provides information on what to do if you cannot afford your energy bills, click here to find out more.
More information on how you can manage your water debt can be found here.
For customers who are supplied by Wessex Water Help paying your bill | Wessex Water.
Where Bristol Water is your supplier Struggling To Pay (bristolwater.co.uk).
Community fridges are available in Frome (Frome Town Hall and Feltham Lane) and Trowbridge via Trowbridge Future.
Call our customer support team if you feel that you need food bank assistance.
The local welfare provision scheme provides critical short-term help and assistance with limited one-off household goods. To find out more and apply, visit Help in a crisis - Wiltshire Council.
The fund provides short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food, paying for energy and water bills and other essential household items. To find out more and apply, visit Somerset Household Support Fund - Somerset Council.
The Welfare Support Scheme provides B&NES residents with short-term financial help in a crisis. Get help if you can't afford the basics such as food, energy costs, and household items, or help with certain debts. To find out more and apply, visit Apply for welfare support - Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The broadband market offers customers a wide range of choices, with different deals available to suit different needs
Click here to find out more.
Breathing space
Breathing space is a government scheme that will give you time to receive debt advice and find a solution to your debt problems. There are two kinds of breathing space.
Under the ‘standard’ breathing space, creditors will have to stop the collection and enforcement of your debts. A ‘mental health crisis breathing space’ can provide extra protection for people who have been in crisis.
Eligibility for the schemes can be found here.
We’re unable to give debt advice directly. Information is available from Citizens Advice Home (citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk), Step change StepChange Debt Charity - Free Expert Debt Advice.
There are local providers of debt advice in Trowbridge Trowbridge Debt Advice Service Trowbridge - Community Money Advice, Bradford on Avon Bradford on Avon Hub (boahub.co.uk), and Warminster Home (cornerstone-warminster.org).
Warm Home Discount Scheme
This is funded by the government but run by your own energy provider. It is available to customers who get the 'Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit' or are on a low income and meet their energy suppliers criteria for the scheme.
The scheme can provide up to a £140 one-off reduction on electricity bills.
Click here to find out more.
Cold Weather Payment
Additional payment can be accessed if temperatures fall below a certain level. This is run the same way as the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Click here to find out more.
Surviving Winter campaign
This is run by the Wiltshire Community Foundation and is a fund made up of donations by customers of state pension age who do not require their fuel allowance.
A partner agency will need to make the application on your behalf (Selwood Housing is no longer a partner agency).
Click here to find out more.
For furniture or items for your home, contact:
Wiltshire
Providing support and advice to anyone who might need it as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Bath and North East Somerset
Provides a central place for you to access a range of services to improve your health and wellbeing, including debt, money advice and benefits support.
