Find out what you are entitled to by using the EntitledTo calculator.

If you receive benefits and Universal Credit, it’s likely you’re eligible for a broadband social tariff. These are normal broadband contracts but at a discounted rate. More information and how to sign up can be found through Broadband Genie’s guide.

Alternative comparison sites such as USwitch also offer various deals for those looking to save money and change their broadband provide particularly those on low income.

For internet users that don’t receive benefits and Universal Credit, it’s likely you can still make significant savings. If you haven’t reviewed your broadband contract for two years, you’ll be able to renew your current contract or switch to a new provider. You can compare deals with trusted broadband comparison services such as Broadband Genie or Broadband.co.uk, which are free to use.

You may be eligible to receive a travel discount card, find out more on the National Rail website.

Most clients will be eligible (if receiving benefits) for council tax reduction.

Use these links to find out how you can save on energy costs:

• Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills – Citizens Advice
• Energy Advice leaflets – Energise Sussex Coast
• Warm Home Check service – Warm East Sussex

Citizens Advice 1066 offer a Specialist Energy Helpline, which is available to provide energy-related advice or signposting to other organisations. For more information, please visit the Citizens Advice 1066 Website, or contact 0800 145 6879

If you are struggling with your water bill, you may be able to get support with bill payments from Southern Water.

Foodbanks

Foodbanks are available in Bexhill, Battle and Rye.

• Bexhill Foodbank
• Battle Foodbank
• Rye Foodbank

Your local Councillor can also refer people for support, especially in an emergency.

Help to buy food and milk

Get help to buy food and milk. If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you could get help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables.

Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start) – NHSBSA

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

For more information and to find out if you are eligible, click here: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

To make a referral to the Warm Home Check service go to www.warmeastsussex.org.uk or call 0800 464 7307 or text WARM to 80011.

The website is also full of handy tips to help improve your energy efficiency at home.

If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

The amount you get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll get this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024. This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.

For more information including details on how to apply, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Getting help if you can’t afford your energy bills | Ofgem

Let your supplier know as soon as possible if you are worried you can’t afford to top up your bill or prepayment meter, contact your supplier straight away.

Ofgem rules mean they must offer emergency support.

In most cases, it’s best to get ahead of any problems with paying as early as possible, so let your supplier know that you’re struggling to pay – they’re obligated by Ofgem to help you come up with a workable payment plan, so the earlier they know, the better.

There are a range of options they might be able to offer on a case-by-case basis. You can ask for:

• More time to pay
• Payment breaks
• Payment reductions
• Access to hardship funds

However, your repayment plan is structured, don’t worry – your energy supply won’t be cut off.

If you are worried you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, contact your supplier straight away.

Our rules mean they must offer emergency support (in the form of loans, primarily). This includes:

• emergency credit if your meter runs low or runs out
• ‘friendly hours’ credit if top-up points are closed and your meter is running low. You can access this overnight, at weekends and on public holidays
• extra support credit if you are in a vulnerable situation and have few options to pay
• extra support credit while you work out ways to pay if you are in a vulnerable situation. For example, if you cannot leave your home because of the pandemic.

You will need to repay the credit from your supplier when you next top up. You can ask to agree these arrangements in a payment plan.

Suppliers must work with you to agree on payment plans you can afford. This includes reviewing a plan you have agreed before.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)- The Council considers that the DHP scheme should be primarily seen as a short-term emergency fund. It is extra money that the Council can pay on top of the claimants normal Housing Benefit (HB) if it considers that extra help is required.

Discretionary Housing Payment – Rother District Council