My office is receiving a high volume of emails regarding the amount by which household bills are going up from 1st April.
Certainly the Chancellor Rachel Reeves mismanagement of the economy has made things worse, as the cost of living is due to increase by over £1000 per year for an average family, including:
- Energy bills ⬆️
- Council tax ⬆️
- Water bills ⬆️
- Phone bills & broadband ⬆️
I understand that some households will be struggling. I will continue to signpost to any help and advice which is available.
Citizen’s Advice can provide advice on debt, benefits, employment, housing, family and consumer law and can carry out benefits checks to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.
Tel - 02392 520112
Debt Advice and Support
Some organisations can also provide further specialist advice and assess eligibility for debts to either be written off usually through a variety of different debt solutions for example a Debt Relief Order.
If you have problems with money – get advice as soon as possible.
Gosport Borough Council
You can find Council Tax support from Gosport Borough Council at:
- telephone: (023) 9254 5325 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- email: [email protected]
If you are worried about the rising cost of living, you can find a number of resources on this page that will provide you with advice and information.
https://www.fareham.gov.uk/cost_of_living/intro.aspx
If you're struggling to pay your bill, you could be entitled to one of their discount schemes such as the Essentials Tariff which provides a discount of at least 45% on future bills and a low income pensioner discount.
Complete Southern Water's online financial assistance form or find out more by contacting them directly.
0800 027 0363
There are a number of schemes to help customers who are struggling to pay their bill. The most important thing is to get in touch with them as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
02392 499666
The Environment Centre (tEC) delivers Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Cold Spots service, a free service that helps people fund new boilers and find ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Specialist advisers can also help you manage your gas and electricity bills and provide free small household items to help you keep warm through winter.
0800 8048601
The Trust is an independent charity that can help no matter who your energy supplier is. It has two different grants to clear gas and electricity debts up to £1,500- one is for British Gas Customers and the other is for customers of other energy suppliers. Find out who's eligible and how to apply via the website.
This handy benefits calculate will help you find out what benefits you can claim. The calculator is free to use and the details you provide are anonymous.
Before you start, make sure you have information about your savings, income, pensions and existing benefits (for you and your partner). It should take about 10 minutes to complete, but if you run out of time, you can save your calculation and come back to it later, and pick up right where you left off.
Universal Credit Help to Claim
The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first payment.
It's free, independent and confidential. Specially trained advisors can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Job Centre appointment.You can chat with an advisor online or by telephone using the free Help to Claim national helpline. Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Tel - 0800 1448444
This specialist service from Citizens Advice Gosport is funded by Gosport Borough Council and provides Welfare Benefit Advice to Gosport residents who need help to challenge adverse benefits decisions.
This is a client focused well-being service providing one:one support. A named Advocate will spend time with the client identifying and prioritising their individual circumstances, to provide a bespoke service according to the needs of the individual. This service aims to support people to receive benefits to which they are entitled, maximise income and reduce the stress and anxiety that can be caused by having to appeal an adverse benefit decision.
To make an appointment please call 02392 520112 or complete the online contact form.
We help local residents aged 55 and over complete benefit forms, including Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, PIP and Blue Badge and help with letter writing and signposting to other services they may have need of. Offered Monday through to Friday 10am - 12noon at Martin Snape House, 96 Pavilion Way, Gosport. PO12 1FG (inside Gosport Voluntary Action's offices). There is no cost for this service.
02392 60469
