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Let's manage tough times

An extra £1.5m is being made available to the Council by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the Household Support Fund to support households with the current cost of living crisis.

The aim is to assist people through immediate hardship but also help meet financial challenges in the medium and long term.

We are providing:

  • £630,000 to continue free school meals during the holidays
  • £100 to every pensioner who receives council tax benefit
  • a further £120,000 pot for pensioners in hardship
  • £175,000 for those of working age
  • £40,000 to support foodbanks

We have also set aside an extra £240,000 in grants to families to help them buy school uniforms.

If you are experiencing difficulties, immediate support and advice is available.

Financial help available through Bury Council

If your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, support is available. To check eligibility and apply visit Benefits.

If you are a Six Town Housing tenant, you can talk through your support options by calling 0161 686 8000 or email enquiries@sixtownhousing.org.

Help for pensioners

A £100 payment is being given to every pensioner who receives council tax benefit. Payment will be via Post Office vouchers and is expected mid-August.

Additional advice and support is available through the Bury Community Hubs, details can be found below.

You may also be entitled to additional income through Pension Credits.

Pension Credit, available through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is designed to bring the weekly income of pensioners up to a minimum amount and could make those eligible £34 a week better off on average. In addition to the extra weekly cash, Pension Credit also helps with other financial benefits including a free TV licence for over 75s, Council Tax Support, and money towards green home insulation.

To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements you are due, contact your local social housing provider, visit the Independent Age website, or call their freephone helpline 0800 319 6789.

Further information and guidance

Further advice and support is available through the Bury Community Hubs.

Community Hubs are available to support residents and help with essential supplies or for any worries or concerns you may have about money or your general wellbeing. Hubs provide a focus in local neighbourhoods to connect residents to opportunities, services and support including public services, voluntary and community networks.

Contact your local Community Hub by calling 0161 253 5353 or email:

Support can be provided for the following:

Bury and Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau provide tailored advice to your individual needs with support including:

  • A benefit check, to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitles to and explore if there are any grants or discretionary funds available to you. For further information on benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit which you may be entitled to, a free online calculator is available at Entitled to - Benefits calculator.
  • Debt advice, including money management and how to deal with priority payments.

Freephone Advice line: 0808 278 7804 available Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. Video drop-in service available: Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Video advice.

Wellbeing support

Get help if you are struggling with your mental wellbeing:

  • The Bury Directory provides useful information, advice and details of services that can help you look after your physical and emotional wellbeing through the The Bury Directory - Health & Wellbeing Digital Hub
  • A confidential helpline is available for all residents who are experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing including that caused by economic hardship. The Getting Help Helpline is available Monday to Saturday 8am-8pm, offering non-clinical support from experience call handlers. The helpline is 0161 464 3679
  • You can also communicate with trained crisis volunteers (supported by clinical supervisors) by text message, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simply by texting GMBury to 85258
  • Information on broader support on mental wellbeing available in Bury and across Greater Manchester is available at Support for mental health and wellbeing
  • If you are over 50 years of age, live and are registered with a GP in the Borough and not in receipt of adult care support, you can receive support from the Staying Well Team. A Staying Well Coordinator will contact you to arrange to visit you at home and have a chat with you about your health and wellbeing. If you prefer, we can have these conversations over the telephone instead. For more information visit: Staying well or call 0161 253 5151

For further information on health and wellbeing visit: Health and wellbeing.