Financial help and support
Your money, your choice
Many people are facing difficult choices due to changes affecting their money. If you are having difficulty paying your rent please contact your Community Housing Officer or call us on 01792 479200 and press option one. If you are in financial hardship please talk to us- find out more here. Always check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to here.
We’ve brought together lots of useful information based on the feedback our residents have given us.
Welsh Government’s Here to Help
The rising cost of living is a worry to a lot of people in Wales. The Welsh Government has support available that could help you ease some of your living costs. To find out more about the support available visit: gov.wales/heretohelp Or call Advicelink Cymru for free today on 0808 250 5700 to claim what’s yours.
Housing – Help with housing costs
There are a number of benefits that can help to pay your housing costs:
Universal Credit – This benefit is aimed at those who are of working age you can find more more information on the Turn2Us website.
Housing Benefit – If you are on a low income you may be able to apply for Housing Benefit to help with rent costs and/ or Council Tax Reduction to help with council tax costs. You can make an application by clicking on the applicable area. Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend.
Discretionary Housing Payments – These payments can be made to top up your housing benefit or universal credit. They can cover all sorts of shortfalls but typically the bedroom tax, benefit cap or a non-dependent deduction. You can make an application by clicking on the applicable area. Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend. For Neath Port Talbot, please contact your housing officer or call us on 01792 479200.
Food
More and more people need to access a foodbank, you can find one here. If you require a foodbank voucher please contact your Community Housing Officer or call us on 01792 479200.
Household Bills
There are lots of ways to reduce your household bills:
- Cheaper Water Bills
- Warm Home Discount (£140 help on electric)
- An advance payment of Universal Credit
- Household items or emergency cash
- Reduced phone and Internet – BT / Virgin Media
Debt Advice
Seek independent debt advice as soon as possible and emsure the company you are dealing with has access to all debt solutions:
Health
Travel
There are many ways to save money on travel:
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Blue Badge parking
- Vehicle Tax discount
- Help with NHS travel costs
- Armed Forces discount
Children
Starting or maintaining a family can be expensive, did you know about:
- Free Childcare for 3 & 4 year olds
- Up to 85% of childcare costs paid
- Free school meals
- School uniform grants
- Help to buy food and milk
Warm Spaces
Our local councils have directories of public spaces or buildings which you can use to keep warm and safe. Each space offers a range of services, which may include Wi-Fi access, toilet facilities and refreshments.
