If you’re struggling with the costs of living, then you’re not alone and support and advice is available.
There’s further information on these pages to help you manage.
If you have vulnerable family or neighbours please watch for any signs they are not turning their heating on, eating properly or worrying about the cost of living.
If you're unsure about the support that you may be able to access please call 0161 253 5400.
Use the confidential benefits checker to make sure you are receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled: Benefits calculator and budget planner
United Utilities’ Hardship Hub has advice from energy and utility companies, local authorities, housing agencies, charities, and community groups from across the North West of England. There’s help with utility bills to guidance on applying for housing support. View the Hardship Hub https://www.hardshiphub.co.uk/
Support available
- Free school meals – We have allocated £650,000 from the government’s Household Support Fund to continue free school meals during the holidays. Your school will be in touch with the arrangements. Check to see if you qualify: Free school meals
- Benefits - if your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, you may qualify for Benefits
- Rent and council tax extra help - Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
- Help dealing with mortgage debts
- Cold weather payments – a payment by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. See if you are eligible: Gov.uk - Cold weather payment: Overview
- Free school or college travel pass: School and college travel assistance
- Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds (Early Education and Childcare): Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds
- Homelessness - there is help and advice available if you are at risk of losing your home: Homelessness
- Water bills – there is assistance available from United Utilities with grants to pay off water debt and debt advice. It may also be able to help with white goods: United Utilities Trust Fund
- TV Licence - if you’re in financial difficulty you might be able to spread the cost of your TV licence. Find out more about the Simple Payment Plan
- Extra support for families - contact 0161 253 5400 or email your local Community Hub:
- North Community Hub - Elton, North Manor, Tottington, Ramsbottom - northcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- East Community Hub - Bury East, Moorside and Redvales - eastcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- West Community Hub - Bury West, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, Radcliffe North and Ainsworth - westcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Whitefield Community Hub - Besses, Pilkington Park and Unsworth - whitefieldcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Prestwich Community Hub - Holyrood, Sedgley and St. Mary's - prestwichcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
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HSBC financial wellbeing webinars are free to attend and provide practical advice, tips and hints on a range of topics from mortgages to savings, investing and budgeting. You do not need to be a HSBC customer to attend. All advice is impartial and relevant to you no matter where you bank. Visit the HSBC webinar timetable (External link) to book your place.
- Benefits - if your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, you may qualify for Benefits
- Pension credit - you could be entitled to additional income once you’ve reached pension age. You may still get Pension Credit, even if you have savings, a private pension or own your home. It can help with energy bills, living costs, council tax, television licence and other costs: Independent Age - Pension credit advice
- Could you be entitled to a free TV licence? - Over-75s now have to pay for their TV licence, unless they're getting Pension Credit: TV Licensing - Reduced fee
- If you are blind (severely sight impaired) you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession towards your TV Licence. Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you. Go to blind (severely sight impaired)
- If you or a member of your family lives in residential care homes or sheltered accommodation then they may qualify for a concessionary TV licence
- Rent and council tax extra help - Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
- Cold weather payments – a payment by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. See if you are eligible: Gov.uk - Cold weather payment
- Warm Home discount scheme helps older people with energy costs in the form of a one-off automatic discount from your electricity bill. The scheme will re-open in November – go to Gov.uk - Warm Home Discount Scheme to check if you qualify
- Winter fuel payments - the government provides winter fuel payments each winter to provide help for older people with their heating bills. The payment is usually £200 for each household. Check if you are entitled: Gov.uk - Winter Fuel Payment
- Water bills – there is assistance available from United Utilities with grants to pay off water debt and debt advice. It may also be able to help with white goods: United Utilities Trust Fund
- Extra support for older people - contact 0161 253 5400 or email your local Community Hub:
- North Community Hub - Elton, North Manor, Tottington, Ramsbottom - northcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- East Community Hub - Bury East, Moorside and Redvales - eastcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- West Community Hub - Bury West, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, Radcliffe North and Ainsworth - westcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Whitefield Community Hub - Besses, Pilkington Park and Unsworth - whitefieldcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Prestwich Community Hub - Holyrood, Sedgley and St. Mary's - prestwichcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Support from Royal British Legion - The RBL Everyday Needs Grants programme is designed to help people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs. It includes £200 a month energy bill top-up grants for veterans: Question online: Royal British Legion offer.
British Legion: Everyday Needs Grants - Armed forces support pages:
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TV Licence - if you’re in financial difficulty you might be able to spread the cost of your TV licence. Find out more about the Simple Payment Plan
- Veterans and Cadets Community Support Fund - Bury Council has launched a support fund for local voluntary and community groups that support veterans and cadets in Bury. Veterans and Cadets Community Support Fund
- Benefits - if your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, you may qualify for Benefits
- Rent and council tax extra help - Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
- Help dealing with mortgage debts
- Cold weather payments – a payment by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. See if you are eligible: Gov.uk - Cold weather payment
- Homelessness - there is help and advice available if you are at risk of losing your home: Homelessness
- TV Licence - if you’re in financial difficulty you might be able to spread the cost of your TV licence. Find out more about the Simple Payment Plan
- Extra support for those of working age - contact 0161 253 5400 or email your local Community Hub:
- North Community Hub - Elton, North Manor, Tottington, Ramsbottom - northcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- East Community Hub - Bury East, Moorside and Redvales - eastcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- West Community Hub - Bury West, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, Radcliffe North and Ainsworth - westcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Whitefield Community Hub - Besses, Pilkington Park and Unsworth - whitefieldcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Prestwich Community Hub - Holyrood, Sedgley and St. Mary's - prestwichcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- HSBC financial wellbeing webinars are free to attend and provide practical advice, tips and hints on a range of topics from mortgages to savings, investing and budgeting. You do not need to be a HSBC customer to attend. All advice is impartial and relevant to you no matter where you bank. Visit the HSBC webinar timetable (External link) to book your place.
- Benefits - if your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, you may qualify for Benefits
- Rent and council tax extra help - Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
- Help dealing with mortgage debts
- Cold weather payments – a payment by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. See if you are eligible: Gov.uk - Cold weather payment
- Homelessness - there is help and advice available if you are at risk of losing your home: Homelessness
- TV Licence - if you’re in financial difficulty you might be able to spread the cost of your TV licence. Find out more about the Simple Payment Plan
- If you are blind (severely sight impaired) you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession towards your TV Licence. Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you. Go to blind (severely sight impaired)
- Extra support - contact 0161 253 5400 or email your local Community Hub:
- North Community Hub - Elton, North Manor, Tottington, Ramsbottom - northcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- East Community Hub - Bury East, Moorside and Redvales - eastcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- West Community Hub - Bury West, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, Radcliffe North and Ainsworth - westcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Whitefield Community Hub - Besses, Pilkington Park and Unsworth - whitefieldcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Prestwich Community Hub - Holyrood, Sedgley and St. Mary's - prestwichcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- HSBC financial wellbeing webinars are free to attend and provide practical advice, tips and hints on a range of topics from mortgages to savings, investing and budgeting. You do not need to be a HSBC customer to attend. All advice is impartial and relevant to you no matter where you bank. Visit the HSBC webinar timetable (External link) to book your place.
- Benefits - if your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, you may qualify for Benefits
- Rent and council tax extra help - Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
- Six Town Housing Tenants can also talk through any support by calling 0161 686 8000 or email enquiries@sixtownhousing.org or visit Six Town Housing - Contact us
- Homelessness - there is help and advice available if you are at risk of losing your home: Homelessness
- Rights as tenants – for advice contact Shelter via the Shelter website or a freephone helpline 0808 800 4444 (8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends)
- Housing support for armed forces personnel - Housing for armed forces personnel
- Water bills – there is assistance available from United Utilities with grants to pay off water debt and debt advice. It may also be able to help with white goods: United Utilities Trust Fund
Look out for offers from energy suppliers, for example Octopus giving out electric blankets to vulnerable customers. Some energy suppliers offer extra advice if you are registered on their priority services register - if disabled or using certain medical appliances. Support is available towards electric costs if using oxygen concentrator and water and electric costs if on home dialysis or other medical treatments.
Speak to your energy supplier to see if they can help.
Take a look uSwitch - Using energy efficient appliances such as slow cookers, and air fryers.
Help available includes:
- Difficulty paying energy bills - contact your energy supplier first to see if you can get a temporary credit. Many utility suppliers run trust fund grants to help customers in financial difficulty. These can help to clear fuel debts and even pay for household goods and appliances if necessary:
- British Gas Energy Trust - Apply for a grant
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund - Apply for a grant
- Ovo Energy Fund - Apply for a grant
- E.ON Energy Fund - Apply for a grant
- E.ON Next Energy Fund - Apply for a grant
- EFD Energy - Sign up to the priority services register to apply for a grant
- Bulb Energy Fund - Apply for a grant
- Octopus (Octo Assit Fund) - Apply for a grant
- Shell Energy Support Fund - Apply for help
- United Utilities has grants to pay off water debt and debt advice. It may also be able to help with white goods: United Utilities Trust Fund
- Groundwork energy works - energy efficiency advice and assistance: Groundwork
- Leap energy - a free service to help people keep warm and reduce their energy bills without costing them any money. It can help with energy advice and in some cases replacement energy efficient white goods. See how you can save: Apply for leap
- Cold weather payments – a payment by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. See if you are eligible: Gov.uk - Cold Weather Payment: Overview
- Affordable warmth and energy efficiency – advice from the Your Home, Better independent service to help reduce the costs of your bills as well as carbon emissions from home energy and heating. Find out more here: Your Home Better
- Warm Home discount scheme helps older people with energy costs in the form of a one-off automatic discount from your electricity bill. The scheme will re-open in November – go to Gov.uk - Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview to check if you qualify
- Winter fuel payments - the government provides winter fuel payments each winter to provide help for older people with their heating bills. The payment is usually £200 for each household. Check if you are entitled Gov.uk - Winter Fuel Payment: Overview
- Citizens Advice Bureau:
- you can get advice about your energy bills at Citizens Advice - Energy supply, or
- speak to someone locally - Freephone Advice line: 0808 278 7804 available Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm or 0161 850 5053 (6pm to 9pm 7-days a week)
- video drop-in: every Wednesday 1pm to 3.30pm. Video drop-in service available: Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Video advice
- complete self-referral form at Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Make a referral
- pre-booked appointments available at Bury Town Hall
- Household Support Fund – contact the council 0161 253 5400 to see if you qualify for extra support through the Household Support Fund
- Other useful information about your bills, grants and energy efficiency can be found on our Energy efficiency pages
- Food vouchers - you may qualify for one off food vouchers if you are in immediate need: see Bury Support fund
- Food banks can help if you are in need. To find your nearest support go to The Bury Directory - Food Banks
- Free school meals – We have allocated £650,000 from the government’s Household Support Fund to continue free school meals during the holidays. Your school will be in touch with the arrangements. Check to see if you qualify: Free school meals
- Healthy Start – get help to buy food and milk. You'll qualify for the Healthy Start scheme if you're at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that's under 4, see: Healthy Start - Get help to buy food and milk
- Affordable cooking using less fuel Manchester Community Central - Power Up the Flavour
- Household Support Fund – contact the council 0161 253 5400 to see if you qualify for extra support through the Household Support Fund
- Budgeting, money management and debt advice - The Bury Directory - Home, housing and money support In Bury
- Affordable warmth and tackling fuel poverty - Home energy advice
- Help in getting online - New digital skills courses in libraries and Digital opportunities: Residents and businesses
- Help dealing with mortgage debts
- Gambling - If you’re worried that you or someone you know is being harmed by gambling you can contact Northern Gambling Clinic on 0300 300 1490 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) for support go to www.chapter-one.org
- Citizens Advice Bureau:
- you can get advice about your energy bills at Citizens Advice - Energy supply, or
- speak to someone locally - Freephone Advice line: 0808 278 7804 available Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm or 0161 850 5053 (6pm to 9pm 7-days a week)
- video drop-in: every Wednesday 1pm to 3.30pm. Video drop-in service available: Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Video advice
- complete self-referral form at Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Make a referral
- pre-booked appointments available at Bury Town Hall
- Water bills – there is assistance available from United Utilities with grants to pay off water debt and debt advice. It may also be able to help with white goods: United Utilities Trust Fund
- Household Support Fund – contact the council 0161 253 5400 to see if you qualify for extra support through the Household Support Fund
- Bury Community Hubs provide a focus in local neighbourhoods to connect residents to opportunities, services and support including public services, voluntary and community networks. Contact 0161 253 5400 or email your local Community Hub:
- North Community Hub - Elton, North Manor, Tottington, Ramsbottom - northcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- East Community Hub - Bury East, Moorside and Redvales - eastcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- West Community Hub - Bury West, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, Radcliffe North and Ainsworth - westcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Whitefield Community Hub - Besses, Pilkington Park and Unsworth - whitefieldcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- Prestwich Community Hub - Holyrood, Sedgley and St. Mary's - prestwichcommunityhub@bury.gov.uk
- The Bury Directory:
- Provides useful information, advice and details of services that can help you look after your physical and emotional wellbeing through its digital hub: The Bury Directory - Health & Wellbeing Digital Hub
- The Directory also has further information about keeping well this winter: The Bury Directory - Winterwell
- Bury Adult Learning Service offers free courses for adults (19+) who are experiencing anxiety or low mood to improve mental wellbeing: Course guides
- The Getting Help Helpline:
- A confidential helpline available for all residents who are experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing, including that caused by economic hardship. It is available Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm, offering non-clinical support from experienced call handlers. The helpline is 0161 464 3679.
- You can also communicate with trained volunteers (supported by clinical supervisors) by text message, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simply by texting GMBury to 85258
- Further support - information about broader support on mental wellbeing available in Bury, see: Health and wellbeing
- Support for armed forces personnel: Health and wellbeing support for armed forces personnel
- Bury VCFA social prescribing service helps improve health and wellbeing by connecting people to the many voluntary and community activities in Bury. The service is confidential and free for anyone aged 18 and over and registered with a GP – call 0161 518 5550
Sadly, there are people out there who are looking to take advantage of anyone struggling during the current difficult times.
Tactics they use can include:
- scam energy rebate text messages
- energy tariff mis-selling by doorstep sellers
- loan sharks preying on the most vulnerable affected by the cost-of-living crisis
For advice or to report please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or go the website Citizens Advice - If you need more help about a consumer issue.