Here for you

A guide to support that might be able to help you

 

We know it is a difficult time for everyone with the rise in the cost of living. In this leaflet you can find useful websites, organisations and advice to help you with rising costs. There’s support available both locally and nationally for a widerange of issues.

Help for Families

Kent County Council (KCC) is working with schools to make sure that families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals will receive vouchers to feed their children during school holidays. You will get a £10 voucher per eligiblechild, which can be spent in supermarkets and local shops.

If your child gets free school meals because they are in year 2 or below, you will still need to apply for benefits-related free school meals to get vouchers during the Christmas break. Contact your child’s school if you are unsure whatarrangements are being put in place for your family.

Childcare                                                                                                                                                       All parents of children aged three to four can access 15 hours of free childcare. It does not matter how much you earn or how many hours you work. Some parents of children under the age of 3 may also be entitled for free childcare. Currently, parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours a week of free childcare if they are in receipt of income support benefits, such as Universal Credit, and earn less than £15,400 a year.

30 hours of free childcare will be expanded to eligible parents of children over the age of 9 months and will start from April 2024.

From April 2024 working parents of 2 year olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare.

From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months.

From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare a week.                                                                                                     

To work out what you are entitled to please visit https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

Families can receive up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled to put towards the cost of childcare. Money can help towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after school clubs, childminders andnurseries, and other approved childcare schemes.

You can get Tax Free Childcare at the same time as the 30 hours free childcare if you are eligible for both. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Kids eat for Free

Asda Café: Children can eat a meal for £1 every day of the week. No minimum spend required. Adults can also buy a half price meal from 3 pm daily. Offer runs until the end of 2023.

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre: Up to 2 children under 16 can eat a ‘free’ breakfast when an adult buys an unlimitedcooked breakfast costing £9.99-£10.50. Valid daily during breakfast hours.

Morrisons:   Children eat free every day with 1 adult meal purchased over £4.50.

Bella Italia Childrens meal are £1 when an adult purchases a meal, valid Monday to Thursday.

Free School Meals

If your child is below 19 years old, in full time education, and you receive benefits you may be able to get free school meals for them. Speak to your child’s school or apply online at www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent

 

If your child is in Reception, year 1, year 2 they are entitled to universal free school meals, all children in these year groups can get a free school meal at school each day.

If your child gets free school meals because they are in year 2 or below, you will still need.

to apply for benefits – related free school meals to get vouchers during the October and Christmas holidays. Visit www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/

 

Free School Meals eligible families will receive an additional energy voucher for each eligible child via their child’sschool outside of this scheme. Eligible free school meals families will be receiving a voucher per eligible child for the value of £100 direct from their child’s school during the Autumn term. For more information visit www.kent.gov.uk and search for household support fund.

Specified Adult Childcare credits.

If you are a grandparent who provides childcare for your grandchildren, you may be eligible for Specified AdultChildcare credits, which can be claimed by family members who care for a child under 12, usually whilst their parent isworking. Visit www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-specified-adult-childcare-credits

 

Help with the Cost of Living

Help for Household

The Government’s ‘Help for Households’ campaign has lots of helpful information to help you, from checking whetheryou are eligible for Universal Credit, how to claim Pension Credit if you are on a low income, to extra money availablefor carers. Visit https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

Cost of Living Payments

The Government has announced further Cost of Living payments will be made between spring 2023 and spring 2024. These payments are:

• Up to £900 for people on an eligible low-income benefit will go direct to bank accounts and

           spread across payments over the year.

• £301 paid between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023 for most people on DWP benefits.
• £301 paid between 2 and 9 May 2023 for most people on tax credits and on other low income benefits.
• £300 paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023 for most people on tax credits and on other low-income benefits.
• £299 paid during spring 2024 for most people on tax credits and on other low income benefits.
• £300 for pensioner households – if you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.

If individuals are eligible, they will be paid automatically, and there will be no need to apply.

Budgeting Loans

You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you have been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used forhousehold items, rent in advance, and travelling costs. Visit https://www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/eligibility

Help for the Armed Forces

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has launched its Everyday Needs Grants program, designed to assist those who needhelp in a quick and easy way with essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs. Grants areavailable of up to £2,400 over 12 months. Applicable recipients include serving and ex-serving personnel, and thewider Armed Forces community, including families, dependents, and carers. Any member of the Armed Forcescommunity wanting to access the grants can find out more and apply visit https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/financial-and-employment-support/finance/grants or by calling 0808 802 8080.

HERO Service

Sevenoaks District Council’s HERO service assists residents in the districts who are homeowners or in privately rented accommodation. We can give advice and support in the following areas: mortgage/rent arrears; debt issues;energy and broadband costs; welfare benefit applications; general housing advice; retraining; voluntary work and general cost of living advice. For help and more information, please contact hero@sevenoaks.gov.uk or contact the council on 01732 227000 and ask to transfer through to the HERO service.

Know what you earn, what you spend and what you owe

 

Budget Planning

If you want to know exactly where your money is being spent, how much you have got coming in and where everypound is being spent, a budget planner can help get you started. Visit https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner

Help with your Income

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Universal Credit, Tax Credits, and other benefits. There are many different forms of support available depending on your individual and household circumstances.

It is worth checking online at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators to see if you are entitled to additional help. Make sure you have details of your household savings, income (including pension and benefit payments), outgoings (such as rent,mortgage and childcare payments) and your Council Tax bill to hand.

The Money Advice Service

Easy to use, free and impartial money advice. Top pick for tools and calculators and budgeting help. Visitwww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Debt

If you are struggling to pay your bills, seek help right away. The quicker you act, the more can be done to help you. The Government’s Money Helper service offers practical advice and money management tools. Visitwww.moneyhelper.org.uk or call 0800 138 7777. The National Debt line also provides free help. Visit www.nationaldebtline.org or call 0808 808 4000.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice offer free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice to all members of the public on matters suchas debt, benefits, housing matters, family issues and employment problems. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Turn2Us

A charitable service which helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants etc.Visit www.turn2us.org.uk or contact their helpline on 0808 802 2000.

Christians against Poverty

A national charity, working across the UK to lift people out of poverty and debt by providing advice and practical support and help. Visit www.capuk.org

 

Housing Costs

Whether you are a tenant in the social sector or private sector or you have a mortgage, it is important that you talk toyour landlord or lender at the earliest opportunity if you think you will have difficulty paying your rent and bills, as theymay be able to help you. You could also be entitled to the following to help with your housing costs:

Sevenoaks District Housing and Community Hub

The hub provides a one stop shop for residents to discuss any issues and concerns they have with our staff partners in person. Areas of support include, but is not limited to:

• Cost of living
• Saving money on fuel bills
• Housing Advice
• Welfare Benefits
• Substance Misuse Support (Drugs/Alcohol)

No need to book, you can drop into our hub, which is held every month at our Argyle Road office. Our next hub days are being held on:

• Wednesday   6 December  2023   10 am to 12.00 pm

Rough Sleeper Drop in Service

If you are single and homeless, Porchlight run a drop in housing and support service at the Swanley Link, London Road,Swanley BR8 7AE every Tuesday morning between 9.30 am to 12 pm. No booking is necessary.

For an appointment with our Rough Sleeper Officer at our Council office at Argyle Road, we offer a housing advice andsupport service on alternate Thursdays. Email our Housing team at housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk to book.

 

Discretionary Housing Payment

Discretionary Housing Payments (this applies to both social and private sector tenants) can provide extra money ifyour local council decides that you need extra help to meet your housing costs on top of what benefit support youalready receive through the DWP.

To get a Discretionary Housing Payment, you will need to either already be receiving the old scheme Housing Benefit or the housing contribution element through Universal Credit. To apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment, please visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk for further details.

 

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction may be available if your household is on a low income. You could receive support towardssome or all of your Council Tax bill. To find out more, please visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk for further details.

 

 

Household Bills

 

Help with your Utility Bills

Most utility companies offer help if you are struggling with your bills, including payment plans. Most water companies also offer discounts for households on low incomes. Speak with your suppliers or if you live in Kent, visitwww.kent.gov.uk and search for energy financial support for advice about your energy bill.

For some great tips on quick and easy ways to save energy, visit the Energy Saving Trust website athttps://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/

Support with energy costs for households in financial hardship

Kent County Council will be providing vouchers to eligible households to support with energy costs.  This scheme is funded by the UK government’s Household Support Fund, to support vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs.

You may be eligible for assistance if you:

• are aged 16 or over
• are a Kent resident (excluding Medway)
• earn below £40,000 total household income (per annum before tax)
• do not have more than £1,000 in savings
• are responsible for paying the household energy bill (one award per household)
• do not receive free school meal voucher support during the school holidays.

Kent County Council are currently working towards making this support available as soon as possible.  Please visit their dedicated Household Support Fund online web page regularly for launch date information. www.kent.gov.uk/householdsupportfund.

 

 

How much energy am I using

Some electrical household appliances use a lot of electricity. Others do not. The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)has published a helpful guide on where you can make big savings in your home. https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/how- much-electricity-am-i-using

 

Help to insulate your home

More than 300,000 families are set to save hundreds of pounds on their bills thanks to new energy efficiency upgrades.

In September the Government launched the £1 billion drive to help those most in need heat their home for less, through the Great British Insulation Scheme. Families in lower council tax bands with less energy efficient homes will be offered vital upgrades such as roof, loft or cavity wall insulation which could cut their annual energy bill by an average of between £300 to £400.

The scheme will boost help for those on the lowest incomes as well as extend support to a wider range of households compared to other existing government-funded schemes. Those eligible for support under the Great British Insulation Scheme include families in council tax bands A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and Wales, with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-save-hundreds-through-1-billion-insulation-scheme

Food Banks

Charities that provide food to people on low incomes. If you live in Kent, you can find your local food bank atwww.kent.gov.uk and search for Find a food bank.

Reducing Food Costs

The BBC website has some great tips on how to reduce your food costs.

• https://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44597169
• https://bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/12-ways-cut-your-food-costs
• https://bbc.co.uk/food/articles/money_saving_tips

Upcycling

Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they are all about repairing things. Take along your broken items – toasters,lamps, hair dryers, clothes, bikes, toys, crockery… anything broken is welcome.

• The Sevenoaks Repair Café: runs on the second Saturday of the month at St Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, from 10 am to 1 pm. Email: sevenoaksrepaircafe@gmail.com for more information.

• The Edenbridge Repair Café: runs on fourth Saturday of the month at the Eden Centre, from 10 am to 1 pm. Email: edenbridgerepaircafe@gmail.com for more

 

Broadband Discounts

Not all of us regularly switch supplier, but it is worth comparing as you could save hundreds of pounds over the year. Anyone concerned about falling behind on payments should contact their Broadband supplier to see what support isavailable.

Social Tariffs

If you are in receipt of benefits, then special discounted home broadband packages are available. These packages,known as Social Tariffs, are offered by broadband providers and can be vital for families struggling with bills, keepingthem connected even in tough times. Subject to eligibility, customers on social tariffs could in some cases save over a hundred pounds a year. For further details on Social Tariffs, please visit https://www.digitalkent.uk/information/projects/scp/socialtariffs

 

Cheaper car and home insurance

There has been a large increase in the costs of home and car insurance. Tips for cheaper home and car insurance can be found on money saving expert. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/11/martin-lewis-halve-car-insurance/

Warm Spaces

Warm Spaces are safe and friendly public places where people of all ages can go to comfortably spend time reading, studying, chatting with others, and meeting new people in their community. To find a local space near you please visitour website at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk and search for ‘Warm Spaces.’

 

Health Care Costs

 

Healthcare Travel Costs

if you are receiving Universal Credit or on a low income, you may be able to claim travel costs refund for hospitalappointments. Visit NHS – Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme for more information.

 

Prescription Payment Certificate

The current prescription charge is £9.35 per item. You can save money on prescription costs, by buying an NHSprescription prepayment Certificate. There are 2 options to choose from:

• A 3 month prepayment certification costs £30.25. It will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed itemsin 3 months
• A 12 month prepayment certification costs £108.10. It will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribeditems in a year

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc/ for more information.

Exemption from costs of Prescription Medication

You could get free prescription medication if you are receipt of benefits, on low income or those with certain medicalconditions. Visit NHS – Exemption from Prescription Medication

Ask if your Prescription Medication can be brought over the counter. You can buy some prescription medications for minor health issues over the counter at a pharmacy or supermarket. Your local pharmacist can tell you if themedication is available or cheaper to buy over the counter.

NHS yearly HRT Certificate

If you pay for NHS prescribed HRT medicine 3 or more times in 12 months, an HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) could save you money. Each item on an NHS prescription usually costs £9.65. You can buy an HRT PPC for a one-off payment of £19.30. The HRT PPC covers an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months. The HRT PPC does not cover all HRT medicines. Click on the link for more information and to check if it covers your HRT medicine.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/get-a-ppc/hrt-ppc

Dental Care

You do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you are:

• under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (but you may have topay for any dentures or bridges)
• receiving low-income benefits, or you are under 20 and a dependent of someone receiving low income benefits

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/

Staying Healthy and Well

If you are a Sevenoaks District resident aged 18+ and would like some help and motivation to eat more healthily, loseweight, get more exercise, and improve you overall wellbeing, why not contact Sevenoaks District Council’s One Youservice. Our One You Advisors will work with you for up to one year, at no cost, to help make meaningful changes to your lifestyle. Visit https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20069138/health/516/one_you_lifestyle_improvement_service

Need some help to complete the registration form? Call us on 0300 020 0636 and a member of the team will help you to register.

Health Walks

You can find details of our walks on the Council website at https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/walking.

• Shoreham walk – every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 30 am. Meeting point at

           Shoreham Station Road.

• Otford Village walk first and third Monday of the month at 10 am. Meeting point Otford Village

           car park.

• Edenbridge walk –Meeting point at Church Street, Edenbridge TN8 5BD. Friday 8^th December at 10am.
• Knole Park walk – every Wednesday at 2 pm. Meeting point outside Hollybush Café, Hollybush

           Close, Sevenoaks TN13 3UH

 

 

Look after your Mental Health

Worries over money, housing, heating, and food can affect our mental wellbeing, causing stress, anxiety, anddepression. There are lots of places to get help and support.

The Release the Pressure campaign offers a text service to people who are struggling to cope and need immediate help. Text the word “Kent” to 85258, to start a conversation with trained and experienced volunteers who can give helpat any time, wherever you are. Visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure for further details.

Solace Café

West Kent Mind run a Solace café at their wellbeing centre, 34A St Johns Road, Sevenoaks on Mondays, and Tuesdays 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The café provides a supportive environment for people who are at risk of developing an emotional crisis. There you will find support and guidance. You can drop in or contact West Kent Mind on 01732 744950 or visit www.westkentmind.org.uk

Sevenoaks U3A

If you are no longer in full time employment and live in Sevenoaks or the surrounding area, Sevenoaks U3A can offer you the opportunity to participate in a wide range of enjoyable social, mental, and physical activities. Visit www.sevenoaksu3a.org.uk for more information.

Help for Carers

If you are a carer and would like more information on support, advice and training available across Kent, please visit www.kent.gov.uk and search help for carers for more information.

You could get £69.70 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Check if you are eligible for the Carer’s Allowance

 

Help with Pets

If you are struggling with vet bills you may be eligible for support from the PDSA. Visit PDSA – Eligibility checker

 

Pets Charities Financial Assistance

• RSPCA – Pet heath care costs
• Cats Protection – Neutering financial assistance

 

Rehoming

If you are struggling to afford to look after your pet you might need to consider rehoming. If you do not have a friend orfamily member who can help, there are charities that can help rehome pets for those that see this as an option.

• RSPCA – Giving up a pet you are unable to care for
• Dogs Trust – Giving up your dog
• Cats Protection – Thinking about giving up your cat

Support with Travel costs

Railcard

There are a number of railcard discounts available for families, young people, seniors, veterans, and disabled persons.Up to a third can be saved on rail fares by applying for a railcard. Visit www.railcard.co.uk/ for more information.

 

 

JobCentre plus Travel Discount card  

Provided to those unemployed claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3 to 9 months (18 to 24 yearolds) or 3 to12 months (over 25s) can apply through their Work Coach and local JobCentre Plus. Other benefit recipients may receive a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from 3 months of their claim and if they are actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser. Cardholders are entitled to a 50% discount on selected rail tickets. Contact your nearest Jobcentre for more information at https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/

 

Kent Karrier Dial a Ride Service

This is a flexible dial a ride service that takes members from their door to anywhere in the Sevenoaks District. All services have a wheelchair accessible vehicle. To be eligible for the service you must be over 85 or live in a rural area more than 500 meters from a bus stop or train station, or you have a mobility impairment.

Call Compaid on 01892 832447 to apply. A small membership fee applies but you can make savings on your travel costs.

December – January 2024