Benefits & Money – Cost of Living News & Advice

Cost of Living Support

Calderdale Council 

UK Government

  • Recognising that people are worried about the cost of living, the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for on their dedicated website: costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov.uk/
  • The Help for Households campaign gives clear information about the exceptional payments, energy support and existing support schemes available, so the public know what is available and where they can find help. There is a website to support the campaign and the homepage brings together over 40 support schemes that the public may be able to access depending on eligibility. Additionally, a range of online tools will help citizens quickly and efficiently check the support they might be eligible for and how to access it.

Advice and support from Citizen’s Advice

  • Dealing with Debt and money issues
  • Help with Budgeting Tools from Citizen’s Advice to help you work out a budget.
  • Your employment rights at work Support if you have concerns about your employment contract, working conditions or right to time off work.
  • Citizens Advice share insights from across their service on how the crisis is affecting the people they help. They’ll be updating this dashboard every month tracking how the cost-of-living crisis is changing. View Dashboard (click on arrows to navigate to later pages)

Warm Spaces

A company called Open Innovations, from Leeds, have put together a warm space directory that brings together information from many sources into one easy-to-use place.
Alphabetical: Here is a view that loads an alphabetical list of offers in Calderdale: https://warm.open-innovations.org/find?gss=E08000033
Map-Based: And here is a map view of offers from all over the country but centred on Calderdale: https://mapper.odileeds.org/?12/53.72485/-1.87180/datamill-0902a2be-f58e-429c-a6aa-6f196ccc45fd

More Useful Links

Benefits, Money & Cost of Living News

  • A Detailed Guide to Attendance Allowance
    The older person’s website has produced a really thorough guide to Attendance Allowance – don’t miss out on valuable financial support – read their advice and report below: If you’re over State Pension age and have a …more
  • The Right To Request Flexible Working
    From 6 April all employees have the right to request flexible working from their employers from their first day of working. For many people with disabilities, flexible working is a big factor that helps them return to employment. …more
  • RNIB Offer Support With Disability Benefits for Blind & Partially Sighted People
    New research, highlighted by the RNIB, shows that more than one in four blind and partially sighted people miss out on the disability benefits they’re entitled to. The barriers include: * Applications being refused and issues …more
  • Report: Disability Benefits Too Low
    Following a year-long inquiry, the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee of MPs has published its report into the social security system. The report sets out a wide range of evidence which suggests that benefit levels are too …more
  • Why Saving For Retirement Is Difficult For Some People
    The Centre For Ageing Better Newsletter is an excellent read – sign up for the newsletter on their website. Here’s a story that caught our eye in their latest edition: Here’s why saving for a comfortable retirement is …more
  • Help Shape Calderdale Council’s Adult and Wellbeing Services
    Calderdale Council’s Adult Services and Wellbeing Services are running a Coproduction event that will take place at the Kings Centre, Halifax on Wednesday 1st May. There are two sessions to choose from. They are keen to …more
  • Carer’s Leave Act Now In Force
    The Carer’s Leave Act came into force on 6 April. This gives a new entitlement to a week of unpaid leave for unpaid carers who are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need. This will enable carers to better balance their …more
  • Benefit Increases: State Pension, Universal Credit Etc
    From Monday 8 April 2024, the State Pension increased by 8.5 percent. This means pensioners receiving the full new State Pension will get an extra £900 a year. Pension Credit, a passport benefit to provide additional support for …more
  • Worrying about money? Help is at hand
    Dealing with money related matters can be off-putting, but there is lots of support for you on the Calderdale Council website. The sections below are to help everyone, with lots of information on local services: Money, debt and …more
  • March Cost of Living and Tackling Poverty Newsletter
    Below is Calderdale Council’s March Cost of Living and Tackling Poverty Newsletter. It’s a huge aggregation of information from many sources. At the foot of the newsletter is a link to sign up to receive future …more
  • Disability Into Apprenticeships Guidance
    In light of National Apprenticeship Week, Disability Rights UK have updated their Into Apprenticeships resource for any Disabled person thinking about applying for an apprenticeship. There are several stories written by Disabled …more
  • Calderdale Money Support & Advice
    Dealing with money related matters can be off-putting, but there is lots of support for you. The sections below are to help everyone, with lots of information on local services: Money, debt and benefits advice Electricity, gas …more
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Guide
    If you have a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment soon, you might have questions about what to expect. The disability driving organisation Motability have just published a new article in which they’ve answered some of …more
  • A Guide To Attendance Allowance 
    Attendance Allowance is an important benefit which isn’t perhaps as well known as it should be. Attendance Allowance is extra, tax-free money you can get if you’re over State Pension age and have a long-term disability or …more
  • Warm Home Discount Scheme Closing Soon
    The Warm Home Discount (WHD) Scheme 2023/24 will close on 29 February 2024. All claims must be made to the helpline before this date. The Warm Home Discount (WHD) helpline will remain open for calls until 31 March 2024 (0800 030 …more
  • Vulnerable people encouraged to seek help with energy bills 
    People struggling with the cost of energy bills this winter are being encouraged to speak to their council about the financial help available from DWP’s Household Support Fund. The Government has invested over £2 billion into the …more
  • Help with TV licences
    TV Licences for over 75s If you are on Pension Credit and aged 75 or over, you are eligible for a free TV Licence saving you £159 per year. Get a free or discounted TV licence – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) TV Licences for …more
  • Mayor’s Fares Bus Scheme Extended
    More people in West Yorkshire are using buses since the introduction of the Mayor’s Fares reduced pricing, according to a recent survey. A quarter of the people surveyed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said they were …more
  • Key information for carers
    The older person’s organisation Independent Age produces some excellent information to support older people and their carers. Much of it is also of direct relevance to people with disabilities. Here’s is their …more
  • Calderdale Council’s Energy Efficiency Fund
    The Council recommend you Make your home as energy efficient as soon as possible. The Council’s Health Homes Service can help owner occupiers and tenants in privately rented properties make their homes warmer, more …more