Cost of Living Support

You will find different areas of support on the South Ribble Together page of our website which may help you with the cost of living.  

Household Support Fund

Household Support Funding has come from the UK Government (Department for Work and Pensions) to local authorities, to support those who are struggling to cover basic heating costs and access other essential items. 

A number of schemes have been developed by the Council to support our local communities.

As this funding is allocated to South Ribble residents in need of financial support, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation such as proof of income or receive a home visit to survey your needs.

You do not need to be in receipt of benefits to access this support, but funding is targeted to those who are struggling financially.

The details that you provide us with will be shared with providers, to make sure that you are supported in the right way. We may check the details you provide against other records as part of our efforts to prevent fraud.

Household Support and Energy Payments

We recognised that energy and household costs are increasing for many households, so we are working with Citizens Advice to offer people financial support that will contribute towards household costs, such as energy, water, and wider essentials. This may include support towards the cost of: 

• energy, water, or connectivity (broadband or mobile phone) bills

• domestic heating or lighting products to improve energy efficiency

• wider essentials linked to energy and water (including sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets, boiler service/repair, purchase of smaller / low value white goods i.e. a microwave, small fridge or slow cooker)

Eligibility

You live in South Ribble.

You do not need to be on benefits to access the scheme and households may have savings. However, you must be able to demonstrate that the household is experience financial hardship.

The level of support available may vary based on circumstances.

• if you are in receipt of UK Government Cost of Living Payments the maximum amount available that may be awarded is £300

• if you are not in receipt of UK Government Cost of Living Payments the maximum amount available that may be awarded is £500

You will not be eligible to access the scheme if:

• The household has received a payment from this scheme within the last 6 months (up to the total eligible value)

• The household has more than £3000 in savings

Accessing the Scheme

The scheme is open until 31 March 2024 and is first come first served. The scheme may closed early if the budget is spent before March 2024.

To access help, please complete the application form. You can apply for the Household Support Fund on the Citizen's Advice website, if successful SRBC will allocate HUGGG Energy Vouchers.

Household Support Fund Application Form

Warm Home Grants

The aim of this grants scheme is to support residents in owner occupied properties to fund home adaptations that create energy efficiency improvements, supporting longer term reduction to the cost of energy bills.

Improvements that this scheme funds includes:

• replacement of broken boiler

• replacement of inefficient boiler (Energy Performance Certificate [EPC] rating F or below)

• replacement of broken windows of doors

• replacement of inefficient windows or doors (EPC rating F or below)

• building insulation (EPC rating F or below)

Eligibility

You must live in South Ribble, be over 16 years of age and own and occupy the property where the works are to be carried out.

You do not need to be on benefits to access the scheme and households may have savings ( under £5000.00). However, there must be someone with at least one of the following vulnerabilities and have a low income, defined as follows.

Vulnerabilities:

• people with a diagnosed cardiovascular conditions

• people with a diagnosed respiratory conditions (in particular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and childhood asthma)

• people with diagnosed mental health conditions

• people with diagnosed disabilities

• older people (65 and older)

• households with young children (up to the age of 5)

• pregnant women

• people who are terminally ill

• people with suppressed immune systems (e.g. from cancer treatment or HIV)

• people who have attended hospital due to a fall

The following vulnerable groups will be considered on referral from the Local Authority or health / social care professional.

• people who move in and out of homelessness

• people with addictions

• Recent immigrants and refugees.

Low income can be confirmed in one of the following ways:

• Someone being in receipt of means tested benefits

• Have a total gross household income not in excess of £31,000

And

• Have less than £5000.00 in savings

You will not be eligible to access the scheme if:

• the household has previously applied and been awarded funding through this warms home scheme
• You do not own and occupy the house where the work is to be carried out
• the household has more than £5000 in savings

How to apply

The Scheme is now Closed. 

Are you worried about the cost-of-living crisis?

If you are struggling or need help please contact our social prescribing team who may be able to assist and support you.

The team is available between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.  

Please call: 01772 625286
Email: social.prescribingSR@southribble.gov.uk

Please send us your name, a contact number and email and a brief summary of what support you need.

If the support, you need is urgent or an emergency you should contact the most appropriate service. In any event of an immediate risk to life call 999.