Support for rising cost of living
IMPORTANT ADVICE!!!
Remember to apply for grants for food and energy.
If your child receives free school meals:
You are entitled to a Household Support Fund grant, this will be at least £120 and could be more if you have more children.
Payments are £15 per child, per week for the school holidays, including half-terms and Easter. You will be back paid to October half-term if you’ve not already applied.
To apply for payments on the council website CLICK HERE
Get ready for winter
Winter is well on the way and we’re encouraging residents to make sure they’re ready for the cold months ahead.
The Government has advice on what you can do to get your home ready for winter or general energy saving advice which applies year-round. Here’s some of their advice:
- Turn down radiators in rooms you aren’t using to save up to £40 a year
- Bleed your radiators
- Get your boiler serviced
- Reduce your hot water tank temperature to 60°C to save up to £10 per year
- Find and fix draughts to save up to £40 a year
- Use your tumble dryer less to save £50 a year
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature to save £20 a year
- Insulate your hot water cylinder to save £40 per year
- Turn appliances off at the socket to save £40 per year
- Smart thermostats and heating controls can help you save £40 per year
- Install an energy efficient shower head to save £40 per year
- Install a smart meter to help see what you’re spending
Or you can watch this video with TV presenter Dom Littlewood for advice.
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See your options for help with bills
We know bills will be one your main concerns as we head into the cold winter months.
We’ve pulled together all the tips and advice if you’re struggling or worried about paying your bills. Visit our guide on our cost of living help hub to find out more:
Priority services
Register for priority services with your water or gas suppliers in case services are interrupted this winter. It means you'll get extra help or priority if there are disruptions such as power cuts. You could be eligible if you:
- have reached your state pension age
- are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
- are recovering from an injury
- have a hearing or sight condition
- have a mental health condition
- are pregnant or have young children
- have extra communication needs, such as if you don’t speak or read English well
Vulnerable usually includes people who get their pension, have young children, are disabled, are pregnant or have a long-term medical condition. Check if you'd be eligible.
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Check your Pension Credit eligibility now
Hundreds of low income pensioners in Wokingham Borough are eligible for Pension Credit, but are not receiving this very valuable benefit, worth around £3,900 a year.
If you are receiving Pension Credit, you will also continue to get Winter Fuel Allowance, following changes announced earlier this year.
You must be signed up to receive Pension Credit by 21 December to get Winter Fuel Allowance for this winter.
Check your Pension Credit eligibility on the government website.
Many of those eligible don’t know they can claim Pension Credit. If you know someone who you think could benefit let them know.
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Check your entitlement for childcare support
Support with childcare costs was expanded by the Government earlier this year.
For every £8 you pay in, the government will automatically add £2, up to the value of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children). The Government has a guide on how to use this Tax-Free childcare.
This is as well as some free childcare for 38 weeks of the year, for children nine months to four years, depending on your situation.
From September, families have also been able to get expanded Early Years childcare and Wraparound childcare.
Eligibility criteria apply – check your entitlement on the Childcare Choices website. You’ll need to know your income and child’s birth date to see what support is open to you. Homepage | Childcare Choices