Cost of living support

Overview

The Government has announced extra support for families to help with cost of living pressures, including:

Please note: These are government schemes. South Tyneside Council is not responsible for administering this support.

Support and advice

Find support and advice including:

See support and advice

Welfare Support Service

The Welfare Support Service is the first point of contact for money advice in South Tyneside.

They provide debt, benefit and money advice on the phone, in your local area or if necessary, in your home.

The service is free, impartial and confidential.

Welfare Support Service

Cost of Living Payments from the government

£650 Cost of Living Payment

Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 in 2022. 

This will be made automatically in two instalments. This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills. 

See GOV.UK: Cost of living payment

Disability Cost of Living Payment

Individuals on disability benefits will receive a one-off £150 payment in September 2022 to help with extra costs, such as for specialist equipment or transport.

This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means tested benefits.

See GOV.UK: Disability Cost of Living Payment

Winter fuel payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.

This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.

See GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment

How these benefits will be paid

The Cost of Living payments will be made by the government.

South Tyneside Council is not responsible for administering these payments.

Help with energy bills

£400 reduction on energy bills

£400 will be taken off your energy bill automatically from October 2022.

This does not need to be paid back and requires no action.

This is a government scheme - South Tyneside Council is not responsible for administering this support.

See GOV.UK: Help with your bills

Council Tax £150 energy rebate

Applications for the Council Tax £150 energy rebate have now closed.

See Council Tax £150 energy rebate

Help with energy bills

GOV.UK

The government website has guidance on:

  • Cold weather payments if you get certain benefits
  • Warm Home Discount for low-income households
  • 0% VAT on energy saving materials
  • Budgeting loans
  • Social tariffs for cheaper phone and broadband
  • Help paying your water bill

See GOV.UK: Cost of living support - Help with your bills

South Tyneside Homes

The South Tyneside Homes website has guidance on:

  • Help with energy bills if you're struggling or unable to pay
  • What to do if you are confused about your bill
  • Getting the best deal from your energy supplier
  • Smart meters

See South Tyneside Homes: Energy bills

Household Support Fund

Overview

As part of the nationwide efforts to recover following the pandemic, South Tyneside Council has been provided with funding from the government's Household Support Fund.

The Household Support Fund is designed to help ease financial pressure on residents with low incomes.

It is short-term financial support to help with food, fuel bills and other related essentials.

Who is eligible for support

Around the country each council's Household Scheme Fund scheme will vary. Allocations have been distributed in a way that is suitable to their area and demographic.

In South Tyneside, the funding has been allocated across a range of different groups with a focus on households that are on the lowest income.

The funding will support around 15,000 households in South Tyneside. 

When is the funding being distributed

The majority of funding has already been allocated.

Most households in the borough who are eligible have been notified.

You would have been contacted either by the Council or through a third party, such as schools or outreach support.

Funds are being distributed by vouchers. No cash payment is given.

Support through the Local Welfare Provision Scheme

You may be eligible for support through our Local Welfare Provision Scheme.

Funding for this scheme has been increased using money from the Household Support Fund.

This scheme provides short term financial help if you have a financial crisis or need help with your daily living expenses because you are experiencing exceptional hardship.

You will need to apply for this fund to check if you are eligible.

Applications will be considered on a case by case basis. You will need to provide proof of your circumstances.

Support is provided in the form of vouchers that you can use for food and energy.

Apply for the Local Welfare Provision Scheme

Other support and advice

Money and debt advice

Check if you are entitled to benefits

South Tyneside Council provides:

The government provides other benefits, such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Job Seeker's Allowance and low-income benefits, disabilities benefits and benefits for families.

See GOV.UK: Benefits

Crisis support and food

  • Crisis support
    If you have a financial crisis, you may be able to get short-term financial help.
  • Food banks
    Food banks supply food parcels for individuals and families in crisis.
  • Activities over the school holidays which include a nutritious meal each day.

Jobs and skills support