Cost of Living Support
Lincolnshire councils, alongside stakeholder groups including the Integrated Care Board, health and care providers, faith and community groups, charities and local businesses have come together to help support residents.
A taskforce was set up to review the potential impacts caused by the cost of living through the autumn/winter 2022 and to harness effort across all partners to help in supporting, where possible, the communities of Lincolnshire. The work of the taskforce and the associated resources and support available can still be accessed here.
Cost of living – Lincolnshire County Council (lincolnshire.gov.uk)
For Lincolnshire District Councils - Cost of Living Support pages (click on the logos below)
Money Saving Guide
You might be able to claim extra benefits to help increase your income, get discounts, or find quick, simple ways to reduce your outgoings. Whether you’re worried about rising rents, covering higher energy costs or tackling debt, the information, contacts and practical ideas within this money saving guide will help you to keep on top of your money – and your health – so that it all adds up.
Social Tariffs by Ofcom
Ofcom has a list of social tariffs that show cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. These are delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price and are often labelled 'essential' or 'basic' packages. Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom (www.ofcom.org.uk).
Pension Credit
If you are over State Pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit, even if you own your home or have savings. People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get other help with:
- heating costs
- Winter Fuel Payment
- rent and Council Tax
- a free TV licence for those aged 75 or over
- the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit.
For eligibility visit Pension Credit: Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or call 0800 99 1234
Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership
The Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership have set out all of the currently available foodbanks and affordable food providers in Greater Lincolnshire. You can look through this by viewing the map of the region or by scrolling through all the information broken down by geographical area (Boston, East Lindsey, Lincoln, North East Lincolnshire, North Kesteven, North Lincolnshire, South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey). Visit their website for details of a foodbank near you Foodbanks & affordable food across Greater Lincolnshire – Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership
Household Support Fund
The Lincolnshire Community Foundation began supporting the distribution of the Household Support Funds in March 2023 collaborating with district councils in East Lindsey, Boston Borough, South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey to support those households most in need. As an independent charity, this support in funding is directly aligned with allocation by these District Councils. More details on funding will be announced soon. If you need to discuss this further, please contact the Household Support Fund team on 01529 572575 or email hsf@lincolnshirecf.co.uk.
Visit the Government website for an overview of Cost of Living Support and the Government’s Help for Households
Free home energy checks from Age UK's Warm and Wise team 
If you are aged 50 or over and living in Lincoln and the South Lincolnshire area, Age UK can provide personalised support for those needing free energy saving advice, help with meter readings and navigating energy bills. The Warm and Wise team can also help to check for eligible benefits and grants for new boilers, and also install energy saving devices if the need is identified through an energy efficiency home check. Find further information on the Age UK website at Warm & Wise project services or telephone 03455 564 144, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Warm Welcome Spaces
The Warm Welcome Spaces portal allows residents to find warm space locations in their community.
For a list of organisations and venues registered as a warm space, go to: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space
To register your Warm Welcome Space, go to: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#register-your-space
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire 
Energy Referral
As it continues to turn colder, more people will begin to worry about their energy bills. The cost-of-living crisis is squeezing household incomes tighter than ever and energy is a growing concern. At Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, we can offer energy advice. Our Adviser can help with energy savings tips, ensuring people are getting all the help they need from their supplier and identifying any grants or available support. To refer someone for an energy advice appointment, please complete the link below:
www.citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk/energy-referral-form
This is subject to adviser availability. We will keep you updated if demand exceeds resource.
Tackling Hardship For Older People Referral
If you are aged over 65, you can self refer to Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire's Tackling Hardship For Older People provision.
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire will support you with the following:
- Welfare benefits (e.g. benefit checks, housing benefits, council tax support)
- Support with home adaptations
- Energy saving schemes
- Form filling (e.g. blue badge, attendance allowance)
- Income maximisation and cost of living
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire can also offer food bank vouchers, energy vouchers and small grants for things like white goods and making your living environment more comfortable.
You can self refer by calling 0808 278 7966 and asking for a home visit or you can fill in a quick referral form by clicking the link below:
Wheels for Life
Many of us know the benefits of cycling upon our health, wellbeing and social mobility, but finances don't always allow us to have the use of a bicycle. Wheels for life is a bike donation scheme refurbishes pre-loved bikes and distributes them free to people who would otherwise not be able to access or afford one. For more information about how to refer someone for a free bike, to donate a bike or more information, visit Public and community transport | Lincolnshire Wheels for Life information on (connecttosupport.org).
Useful Resources
For information about managing money and debt, support with energy and household costs, and help with housing, visit our Managing Money and Debt page.
If you need to ask your bank to pay particular bills out of your account, National Debtline have a sample letter template you can use: https://nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/ask-your-bank-pay-particular-bills/
For mental health information and support, visit our Mental Health page.
For steps to stay fire safe, see Cost of Living: Steps to stay fire safe (England) (National Fire Chiefs Council).
For advice and support for families regarding their childcare costs, visit Childcare Choices.
For information about being active and moving more for less, visit Cost of Living - Let’s Move Lincolnshire (letsmovelincolnshire.com).
Find out more about the The Big Energy Saving Network, returning this winter.
For support and information about foodbanks in Lincolnshire, see Lincolnshire Food Partnership's foodbanks map.
For free advice and support if you are experiencing issues with home energy or are living in, or at risk of living in fuel poverty, visit Better Housing Better Health (BHBH).
Find further information on Help to Save - the government savings scheme for low-income earners.
Details can also be found Cost of living – Lincolnshire County Council