Residents are being hit by increases in domestic energy costs, in the cost of fuel for vehicles, in food and other prices—now made much worse by the war in Ukraine. Inflation—the rate of change in the prices of goods and services over time—is at its highest rate for 30 years. How can Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) help? In this leaflet are sources of help, what’s on offer, and how to get in contact.
Universal credit
Universal Credit (UC) is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - you may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work, or you cannot work. UC replaced a number of benefits, such as Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment & Support Allowance, and Working Tax Credit. All applications for UC are done online; go to www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. For a face-to-face discussion, go to Citizen’s Advice (CA), which runs Help to Claim and is contracted to the Department for Work & Pensions to provide advice on filling in forms, etc.
There is a Job Centre based in the District Council’s main office in Worksop: Queen’s Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop S80 2AH.
Help with information technology (IT)
If you don’t have a computer, laptop, or mobile phone to apply for UC, call into The Misterton Centre where there are two computers for public use. The receptionist there can help you get started if you’re new to IT.
Bassetlaw Food Bank
Bassetlaw Food Bank provides emergency food parcels for those in need of help.
BDC provides a confidential service so, if you need a referral for food parcels, call 01909 533 533.
Household support fund
The fund is for county councils to support those most in need this winter. It covers the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 inclusive. It is intended to provide food vouchers for children and young people eligible for free school meals during the school holidays in the funding period. Requests for assistance must be made through frontline officers working for the District Council or other relevant organisations.
Money advisers and help with debt
BDC has a money advice team for help with any worries you have about claiming benefits, help with forms, including UC, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction. The team also helps with debt. If you need help, contact the Money Advisors on 01909 533 744 or e-mail them at money.advice@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Bassetlaw Citizens Advice (CA)
Citizens Advice gives good quality, free, independent, impartial, and confidential ad-vice on a range of topics which includes: debt, welfare benefits (including Universal Credit), energy/utility bills, problems at work, health-related benefits support if you’re affected by cancer or mental health issues, to consumer problems. There are lots of ways to contact CA if you can’t find what need on the national website. Local contact details are: 01909 498894 (local), or the national phone number is 0800 144 8848. E-mail: advice@bassetlawca.org.uk, or online - send a message via the portal on our website and check for our opening times for Advice Centres: Worksop (100 Bridge Street), Retford (Market Place), and Gainsborough (Marshall’s Yard).
Blue badge scheme and travel passes
The Blue Badge Scheme is to help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible (hidden) disabilities to park closer to their destination. The scheme is run by Notts County Council, which lists the eligibility criteria. You can get help to apply at The Misterton Centre.
An older person's concessionary travel pass allows free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. The same benefits apply to the disabled person’s travel pass. Both schemes are administered by Notts County Council. Applications can be made at The Misterton Centre or the County Council’s website.
Train passes are available for disabled people, costing £20 for one year or £54 for three years. They give 1/3 off ticket prices for the disabled person and a companion. A senior citizen’s card for one year costs £30, or £70 for three years. It can be bought online or at any station and is valid for off-peak train services. Veterans can also benefit from a discount railcard with the same costs and benefits as the senior citizen’s card.
Financial help for the over 60s
The Goodwin Charity makes one-off grants to those over 60, living within the old East Retford Rural District area, which includes Misterton and West Stockwith. Financial assistance can be given towards a specific need, such as disability aids, household goods/furniture, bathroom aids, mobility aids, etc. There is an application form on the BDC website (www.bassetlaw.gov.uk), e-mail goodwin.charity@bassetlaw.gov.uk, or call 01909 533 249. All applications are dealt with in strict confidence. District Cllr Hazel Brand is a Trustee and is happy to provide further advice and guidance on applications. Applicants must wait for a decision of the Trustees before getting work done or making a purchase as, generally, no monies can be paid retrospectively.
Support for the armed forces community
BDC has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and a member, Cllr Tony Eaton, is Armed Forces Champion. Ex-Forces himself, he is a fount of knowledge on what is available to help current serving personnel and veterans. He can be contacted on 07391 014 040 or by e-mail: tony.eaton@cllr.bassetlaw.gov.uk
Energy bills rebate
Households in England, which are in Council Tax bands A-D, will receive a £150 rebate. The rebate will be made directly by local authorities from April. This will not need to be repaid. This one-off payment will benefit around 80% of all homes in England. On top of this, discretionary funding of £144m will be provided to support vulnerable people on low incomes that do not pay Council Tax, or that pay Council Tax for properties in bands E-H.
The Energy Bills Rebate will give an upfront discount on bills worth £200. Energy suppliers will apply the discount to domestic electricity customers from October, with the Government meeting the costs. The discount will then be automatically recovered from people’s bills in equal £40 instalments over the next five years. This will begin from 2023, when global wholesale gas prices are expected to come down.
Council tax reduction scheme
Help with paying Council Tax is not included in UC payments. The Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) will not accept a claim for Council Tax support at the same time as claiming UC. To apply for Council Tax reduction, go to BDC’s website (www.bassetlaw.gov.uk) and apply online or contact Benefits on 01909 533 533.
Handy person and adaptation service (HPAS)
HPAS will provide help to older and vulnerable people in Notts. The type of jobs range from fitting hand rails and half steps, to changing light bulbs, fitting door locks, putting up shelves, or fixing loose carpets. This service does not include gardening, decorating, or any job that requires a specialist skill. There is a limit of £250-worth of equipment per household and this service will cost £15. Adaptations under this scheme are only available to people living in privately owned/rented and housing association properties. Council tenants needing minor adaptations should contact the Housing Department at BDC. For further information on HPAS, contact Notts County Council on 0300 500 8080 or by e-mail: practicalservices@nottscc.gov.uk
Cold weather and winter fuel payments
Those receiving a state pension, and born on or before 5 July 1952, will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year, which is worth between £100 and £300. Then there’s the Cold Weather Payment: between 1 November 2021 and 31 March 2022, people claiming certain benefits will receive a payment of £25 if the average temperature in the area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0oC or below for seven consecutive days. To check if a payment will apply to this area, go to cold weather payments. Finally, the Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment, giving eligible older and low-income consumers £140 off their energy bill. For full details and eligibility, visit energy grants calculator.
Bassetlaw Action Centre (BAC)
BAC is a community resource agency offering help and support to individuals and organisations, promoting the independence of older and vulnerable people, and supporting those with long-term conditions. For further information, ring 01777 709650 or go to: www.bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk
SAVING MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS & ADVICE ON KEEPING WARM There are lots of free or low-cost ways to save money on energy bills. Phone the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234. The Met Office also has some advice on keeping warm – heating should be at least 18°C, particularly important for those with reduced mobility, aged 65 or over, or who have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. For those under 65, who are active and wearing appropriate clothing, the temperature can be slightly lower than 18°C. These guidelines apply to day and night. Once warmed up, keep the heat in by insulating the house, including wall cavities and hot water cylinder and pipes; fitting draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors; making sure that the loft has at least 10-11” (270 mm) of insulation; drawing the curtains at dusk. Make sure that radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture.
Broadband social tariffs for low-income households
Broadband and mobile bills may increase by as much as 11.7% in April. Social tariffs enable those on low incomes, who receive certain benefits, to access fibre broadband and sometimes inclusive calls at a reduced price. They help people who can’t afford standard tariffs to stay connected and avoid digital exclusion. A guide to the social broadband tariffs available in the UK.
Further advice and help
This leaflet was compiled by District Cllr Hazel Brand in response to residents’ queries and concerns about the cost of living crisis. She is happy to discuss such concerns and can be contacted by phone (01427) 891376. The Misterton Centre (TMC) has a wealth of information available and public access computers. Call (01427) 890646 or e-mail: themistertoncentre@outlook.com
Last Updated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024