Charitable & Financial Support

 

Turn2us

Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity.

Visit Turn2us to Get Support to see what support may be available for you:

• Check which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to
• Use the Turn2us grant search to look for funds that might be able to give you a grant
• Find out what financial help you can get based on your situation

 

Fair for you

Fair for you is a not-for-profit lending company that provides finance to low-income families who do not have access to mainstream credit.

Fair for you offer flexible, affordable loans to purchase household essentials directly from the manufacturer, including:

• Appliances
• Home and furniture
• Garden & outdoor
• Technology

Visit the Fair for you website for more information.

 

Universal Credit

If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to get other payments too.

You might be able to get:

• a cheaper ‘social tariff’ for broadband or mobile phone services
• a Cold Weather Payment
• Disabled Facilities Grants
• Discretionary Housing Payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• a reduction in your Council Tax
• WaterSure to cap your bills if you have a water meter
• a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house

You can get advice on reducing your energy bills from:

• Energy Saving Trust in England and Wales
• Home Energy Scotland in Scotland
• Bryson Energy in Northern Ireland

Visit Gov.uk for more information about Universal Credit and other financial support.

 

Budgeting Loans

A Budgeting Loan can help pay for:

• furniture or household items (for example, washing machines or other ‘white goods’)
• rent in advance
• costs linked to moving house
• maintenance, improvements or security for your home
• repaying loans taken for the above items

You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months.

You only have to pay back the amount you borrow, and repayments are taken automatically from your benefits.

Visit Gov.uk for more information about Budgeting Loans and what you could get.

 

Citizens Advice - Problems with paying your water bill

Citizens Advice provides information on what to do if you have problems with paying your water bill; including:

• Backdated water bills
• Paying your water bills if you're renting
• If you don’t pay your water bill
• Negotiating with your water company to pay back what you owe
• Help with paying your water bills
• WaterSure scheme – help with paying water bills

Visit citizensadvice.org.uk for more information if you’re having Problems with paying your water bill

 

Shelter

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing and homelessness through their advice, support and legal services.

Visit the Shelter Get Help web pages to see what support may be available for you:

• Use the emergency helpline if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay or are worried about using your home
• Use the online advice service if you want to find out your housing rights
• Use the online webchat if you can’t find the information you need on their website

 

End Furniture Poverty

End Furniture Poverty does not provide furniture for grants for furniture and white goods, but can help direct you to the right source of support for you. If you are on a low-income and unable to afford furniture and white goods, there are a number of ways in which you can get help.

Visit endfurniturepoverty.org for more information about how to get help with furniture.

 

British Heart Foundation - Free furniture collection

If you are thinking about moving home or downsizing, or have more furniture than you need, you could consider donating your furniture. The British Heart Foundation can pick up furniture and electrical items from your home for free. The items you donate are then sold in British Heart Foundations stores to help fund their lifesaving research.

Visit www.bhf.org.uk to find out if you can Book a free collection

 

Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire

Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire is an independent, local charity who have been working in the local community to help older people, their families and carers for over 61 years.

Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire has over 200 dedicated staff and volunteers helping to deliver services and activities for older people in Lincoln and across the county.

Visit the Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire website for more information about the services and support they provide, including:

• Help in your Home
• Health & Care
• Information & Support
• Wellbeing

 

Cost of Living Support

There is help available for residents struggling with the cost of living from the council and other organisations.

There are a number of initiatives you can apply for or access information on through Lincolnshire County Council.

You can find further information on your local district council website:

Boston Borough Council

City of Lincoln Council

East Lindsey District Council

North Kesteven District Council

South Kesteven District Council

South Holland District Council

West Lindsey District Council

You can also get help and advice on things such as energy bills and income support:

• Help for households from the government
• Help with finances and debt from Citizen’s Advice
• Help with financial and life changes from Wellbeing Lincs

Be aware that scammers try to take advantage of people when they are vulnerable. You may find yourself more susceptible to scams when distracted and worried about your financial situation. 

If you are concerned about a scam, or want to report one, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have also offered advice about how to stay fire safe while heating and lighting your home this winter.

Residents facing financial difficulties can also visit the government's Cost of Living Hub.