Cost of Living and welcoming places

Overview

These pages have helpful advice and information if you are struggling with the cost of living.

You can find help if:

Your money doesn't stretch far enough

You suddenly don't have any money to pay for the essentials

You are waiting for a payment or a decision

You are in debt and unable to pay what you owe

You are struggling with other things that are affecting how you manage your money

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú from the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Information on the Welfare ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Service, the Local Welfare Provision Scheme and Household ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Fund.

Welfare ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Service

The Welfare ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Service is the first point of contact for money advice in South Tyneside.

They provide debt, benefit and money advice on the phone, in your local area or if necessary, in your home.

The service is free, impartial and confidential.

Welfare ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Service

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú through the Local Welfare Provision Scheme

You may be eligible for support through our Local Welfare Provision Scheme.

Funding for this scheme has been increased using money from the Household ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Fund.

This scheme provides short term financial help if you have a financial crisis or need help with your daily living expenses because you are experiencing exceptional hardship.

You will need to apply for this fund to check if you are eligible.

Applications will be considered on a case by case basis. You will need to provide proof of your circumstances.

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is provided in the form of vouchers that you can use for food and energy.

Household ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Fund

There is currently no funding available.

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú from the government

The Government has announced extra support for families to help with cost of living pressures.

Please note: These are government schemes. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is not responsible for administering this support.

Debt Relief Orders (DROs)

The Government is making to make sure that people in problem debt get the support they need. 

This includes:

  • the £90 application fee being removed
  • the maximum debt you're allowed to be in to apply increasing from £30,000 to £50,000

The Welfare ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Team also have debt advisors who can help you decide if a DRO is an appropriate option for you.

Welcoming places in South Tyneside

Welcoming places are free public places where residents can go to get warm, save money on their heating costs, avoid social isolation, and receive support and advice.

A number of organisations and venues have pledged their support to residents.

To view all the locations in the Borough, see .

For more information see:

Money, debt and savings advice

For money, debt and savings advice see, benefits, money and debt advice.

Check if you are entitled to benefits

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú provides:

The government provides other benefits, such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Job Seeker's Allowance and low-income benefits, disabilities benefits and benefits for families.

You can use an independent, free benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to see, .

Entitledto

 is an organisation which works with councils and housing associations to help people claim benefits - it provides an easy to use  to help people find out what they are entitled to and go on to make a claim.

Get help with energy and bills

Energy roadshows

South Tyneside Homes are hosting sessions throughout September aimed at helping you to reduce your fuel bill.

For more information see
Home energy efficiency measures such as insulation and upgrading inefficient heating for low income and fuel-poor households.


  • Sign up to your energy supplier's priority service register to see if you're eligible for extra support.

  • If you're on a low income, less than £17,005 per annum, or receive pension credit, Northumbrian Water may be able to reduce your bill by up to 50%.

  • If you have a water meter Northumbrian Water will cap your metered charges, if you use more water than average, for reasons that can't be helped, such as a disability.

  • Offering a range of ways to help if you are struggling with water bills.

  • There are lots of things you can do at home to reduce the amount of energy you use.

  • Providing free data to 500,000 people in need, in partnership with Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three.

  • Internet Service Providers (IPS) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) delivering low-cost broadband and phone service packages for those on low incomes. Use the  or see the .

    • Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically

    Most households in England, Scotland and Wales get a £400 discount on their energy bills automatically.

    In some cases, you do not get the discount automatically, for example if you:

    • pay for energy through a landlord, housing manager or site owner
    • live in a park home, houseboat or off the electricity grid

    If you do not get the discount automatically, you can apply for it on the GOV.UK website:

    Help if you use alternative fuels for heating

    You may be eligible for a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if both the following are true:

    • your household is not connected to the mains gas grid
    • you use alternative fuels as your main form of heating

    This is on top of the £400 from your electricity supplier.

    You're eligible for this payment if the main way you heat your home uses:

    • tank or bottled gas
    • liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
    • oil
    • wood
    • solid fuel

    For more information, see

    Making your money go further

    There are lots of ways you can save money which you might not know about.

    To find out how you can make your money go further see, Money and debt advice: Make your money go further. 

     

     

    Crisis support, food banks, and household items

    • Crisis support
      If you have a financial crisis, you may be able to get short-term financial help.
    • Food banks
      Food banks supply food parcels for individuals and families in crisis.

    • Grants may be available from the Greggs Foundation Hardship Fund for white goods / carpets / baby items / clothing and vouchers for food shopping.

    • A replacement scheme for white goods if they become broken or are in a poor condition.

    Jobs and skills support


    • South Tyneside Works offers a range of over 250 courses to help you get into work, change career path and to improve your skills. Eligible learners will be fully funded and have nothing to pay towards the cost of the course.
    • Employment and training agencies in South Tyneside
      Agencies in South Tyneside to help you get back into work, training, or education, or support you with setting up your own business.

    • Help and support from the Local Government Pension Scheme during the cost of living crisis.

    School meals, school uniforms, and school transport costs

    Travel costs


    • You may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
    • Travel passes
      A lot of travel passes can get you access to discounts and help you with travel costs.

    Look after your health and wellbeing


    • If you have debts and are unable to repay them, you may be able to get some breathing space from your creditors until your mental health condition improves.
    • Advice and support services
      ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú to stop smoking, gambling, reducing your alcohol intake and more.

    Homelessness

    If you are struggling with homelessness please get in touch with our homelessness and rough sleeping support services.