Household Support Fund Final Round for 2023/24
South Worcestershire Citizens Advice has received some funding from MHDC and WDC to help support low-income households with the rising costs of living and in particular food and fuel. This fund has been extended and applications will start on 18 October and will be available until March 2024. Funds are awarded on a discretionary basis.
Applications will close sooner if funding runs out.
Please note this is not an emergency support fund and it may take a number of weeks for applications to be processed.
The funds are limited (to one application per household) and will be allocated to eligible households.
To apply you must:
− Be an MHDC or WDC resident
− Provide proof of income with name and address
− Complete the HSF Application Form
All applicants will be contacted via email following their initial enquiry regarding the next steps.
If you are unable to download the form, please email welfaresupport@citizensadvicesw.org.uk.
If you don’t have email please call us on 01684 563611
Cost of Living Support
The Government has announced further payments to help with the cost of living. Click here to find out what support will be available and when. Find out what other help may be available here.
Help paying your mobile, phone or internet bill
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.
Click here to find out more.
Help with Energy Bills
Rising energy bills are at the front of everyone’s minds. But how can you be more energy efficient and save money? And what support might you be entitled to for rising energy bills? Click here to find out more.
Ukrainian Crisis Response
Local authorities and support services are in a state of preparedness for when the situation in Ukraine creates the need for local support. Click on the links below to see what is happening in your area:
Malvern Hills District Council
Wychavon District Council
Appointments
We are no longer offering drop-in sessions so face-to-face appointments must be pre-booked.
The Worcestershire Adviceline is also available Monday-Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on 0808 278 7891
Our volunteers will be providing advice by telephone and email as follows:
Malvern
To speak to an adviser, please ring 01684 563611 or email enquiries.malvern@citizensadvicesw.org.uk
This service is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Wychavon
To speak to an adviser, please ring 01386 712100 option 1, or email enquiries.wychavon@citizensadvicesw.org.uk
This service is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Need help to Claim Universal Credit?
Our Help to Claim advisers can help you with the early stages of your Universal Credit claim. You can talk to them on the phone, or online over chat.
Our advisers can help you:
- work out if you can get Universal Credit
- fill in the Universal Credit application
- prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment
- check your first payment is correct
You can read our online advice on Universal Credit at any time.
You can contact an adviser through our free Help to Claim phone service. Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday:
Ask for a translator if you need to get advice in a different language.
Relay UK – if you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say:
Relay UK (England): 18001 then 0800 144 8 444
You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.
For more information see: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/
