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Cost of living crisis help

Cost of living crisis help

Latest cost of living news...

Live in Northern Ireland, in a park home or use alternative fuel? Here's everything you need to know about energy grant payments in 2023

More than a million households - including those in Northern Ireland, living in park homes or using alternative fuels - that have been waiting for energy support payments have now finally started to receive them.
On non-smart prepay for energy? What to do if you didn't get your £66 or £67 Government help voucher – or if you're struggling to redeem it

If you pay for energy by topping up and you're on a traditional (non-smart) meter, you should've received at least two £66 government energy support vouchers by now. Here's what you can do if you haven't got yours – or if you're having problems redeeming them.
Live in Scotland? Check you're not missing out on a FREE £150 towards your energy bills

Scottish households on certain benefits can get £150 off their energy bills under the Warm Home Discount scheme – but, unlike in England and Wales, many in Scotland still need to apply. Here's how to check if you're eligible.
Council tax to rise for millions from 1 April with most facing 5% hikes – here's what's happening

Council tax bills will increase for millions of people in England from 1 April, with the majority of local authorities set to hike rates by 5% – though in some cases bills will rise by up to 15%.
Warm Home Discount: Minister promises to look at complaints after MSE identifies 10,000s may be falling through eligibility cracks

Tens of thousands of financially vulnerable people are likely slipping through eligibility cracks in the £150 Warm Home Discount support scheme, according to MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE).

Energy suppliers are paying households up to £100 to cut electricity use at peak times this winter – here's how it works and how to sign up

Over a million households and businesses have joined energy firm schemes offering to pay people for cutting their usage at peak times this winter. We explain how these schemes work, which energy suppliers are offering them and how you can sign up.
Martin Lewis: Wholesale energy rates have plummeted and there are lots of myths about it – here's how it'll impact your energy bills

MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis looks at why energy bills continue to rise despite falls in the price of wholesale gas. In the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live (watch the full episode) Martin also looks at what's in store for energy bills for the rest of 2023.
More cost of living payments of up to £1,350 to be paid after 5 April - here's what you need to know

Millions of struggling households will receive additional 'cost of living' payments in 2023 and 2024, with the first set of cash to be paid after 6 April, the Government has today confirmed.
Energy grants worth millions of pounds are STILL available to help you pay your energy bills – check what your supplier is offering

Struggling to pay energy bills? Check if you can get a grant worth £1,000s from your supplier – plus how to apply.
Martin Lewis and MSE among organisations urging energy firms to act over missing bill help vouchers for non-smart prepay users

MoneySavingExpert.com and its founder Martin Lewis are among a coalition of organisations calling on energy firms to take urgent action to ensure households on traditional prepayment meters can access the Government's vital energy help.
Scottish child payment increased to £25 a week from today and more families can now get it – here’s how to apply

If you live in Scotland and claim certain means-tested benefits, and you have children under 16, you can now claim £25 a week per child in 'Scottish child payment'. The benefit has been extended to reach more families, while the amount you can claim has also been boosted. Over 400,000 children could now be eligible.
Smart prepay energy user? Many suppliers will let you use Government payments on gas AND electricity, but two still aren't – here's what each firm is doing

British Gas and Ovo are still unable to confirm they'll let smart prepay customers use their £400 energy support payments on both electricity AND gas, despite gas being crucial for many people's heating this winter.

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Cost of living crisis help

With soaring energy and fuel bills, as well as rising interest rates, the cost of living crisis is now biting. This page has our latest help, from what to do about energy bills to how to budget and how to get free or cheap food, and everything in between. Yet, a good place to start is to check you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to. Once that's done, use the Money Makeover to ensure your bills are as cheap as they can possibly be.

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We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. We're a journalistic website and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques, but can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.

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