Below is a list of organisations and authorities who are providing advice, grants and possible funding to support people during the cost-of-living crisis. The list will keep being updated as we come across further support or when details of grants and funding from the Welsh Government are published. Please see the different sections below. If anything is missing, please let us know by emailing gwen@allwalesforum.org.uk . Thank you in advance.
ENERGY CRISIS, BENEFITS, HOUSING
Scope Disability Energy Support
Free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping them to manage their energy and water needs.
https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/
Warm Wales
Warm Wales is a CIC working to tackle fuel poverty by offering free advice and support (gas grants, eco funding) to ensure people across Wales and South-West England have warm and safe homes.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and with benefits, council tax reduction they may be entitled to. Find your local branch at the website link below.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/
Charis
Charis manages the energy grant and scheme offered by energy companies through Ofgem, check if there are any active schemes in your area and their eligibility criteria. E-On Energy Fund, E-On Next Energy Fund, British Gas, OVO Energy, SSE and others.
https://charisgrants.com/individuals/
Turn2Us
Turn2us has a benefits calculator and grants search tool to help you find out what support you can get alongside adviser locator tools. They also have information on benefits and information on help with paying energy and water bills.
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
Welsh Water
Welsh Water have advice, information and schemes to support those who are on low income and/or benefits.
https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/support-with-bills
Care and Repair
Helping older people to live independently in warm, safe, accessible homes. Running the 70+ Cymru service which offers free Home Energy Assessments for people aged 60 and above in Wales.
https://www.careandrepair.org.uk/en/your-area/
British Energy Trust
British Energy Trust is an independent Charitable Trust. Its mission is to alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty, with a focus on fuel poverty.
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/
Workshop Money Matters – Contact Cymru
Fri, 8 July 2022 10:00 – 12:00
Workshop with Contact Cymru for parents of children and young people with disabilities or additional learning needs living in Wales.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/money-matters-registration-337341406227
Debt
StepChange
Step Change, the Debt charity have a page dedicated to information and support around the Cost-of-living Crisis and can provide free debt help.
https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/rising-cost-of-living.aspx
Breathing Space scheme
Breathing Space (sometimes called the ‘Debt Respite Scheme’) is a free government scheme that could give you up to 60 days’ space from creditors to focus on getting debt advice and setting up a debt solution.
If you apply and are eligible, all creditors are informed and must stop any collection or enforcement activity. You’ll still need to keep making your regular payments if you can afford to.
StepChange can help with applications: https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/breathing-space-scheme.aspx
WELSH GOVERNMENT
Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)
The Welsh Government with this fund are providing two grants.
Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
A grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel if you:
- are experiencing extreme financial hardship
- have lost your job
- have applied for benefits and are waiting for your first payment
- You cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills that you cannot afford to pay.
Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
A grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into.
Use the grant to pay for:
- a fridge, cooker or washing machine and other ‘white goods’
- home furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs
https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Cost of Living Support Scheme
A payment of £150 can be made to households in receipt of support Council Tax Reduction Scheme entitlement condition and households occupying properties in council tax Bands A to D. Some will be contacted directly from their Local authority but if you aren’t paying through direct debit or in receipt of support it may be worth checking if you have to apply through your local council.
Please check your local authority’s website.
https://gov.wales/cost-living-support-scheme-guide-local-authorities-html
£500 Support payment for Unpaid Carers
The Welsh Government has announced a one-off payment of £500 for unpaid carers in receipt of carers allowance. Please find out more and the links to apply at your local council at the link below.
https://www.allwalesforum.org.uk/500-support-payment-for-unpaid-carers/
Cost Of Living Support Fund for Unpaid Carers
The Welsh Government has launched a new fund to support unpaid carers in Wales during the cost-of-living crisis. Carers, who provide care for an adult or disabled child, will be able to apply for grants of up to £300 to pay for food, household items and electronic items.
Support services, such as counselling, financial advice, well-being and peer support will also be available. It comes as part of a £4.5m Welsh Government investment in the Carers Support Fund over the next three financial years, made up of £1.5m each year. We will share on our platforms the details of how to apply for the fund as soon as they are published.
https://gov.wales/new-fund-launched-support-unpaid-carers-wales-during-cost-living-crisis
Pupil Development Grant- Access
Learners currently eligible for free school meals can apply for the grant of £125 per learner, and £200 for those learners entering year 7, recognising the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.
https://gov.wales/pupil-development-grant-access
Full list of Financial Support for Individuals
https://gov.wales/financial-support-for-individuals
LOCAL SUPPORT
Aneurin Bevan Health Board area
Support with the cost of living
https://abuhb.nhs.wales/healthcare-services/staying-well-and-healthy/cost-of-living-support/
We are still building this post and will keep it updated as further support is available. We are also currently adding local information pages which will provide information specific to the area. If anything is missing, please let us know by emailing gwen@allwalesforum.org.uk . Thank you in advance.
