Cost of Living and other Help available
Cost of Living and other Help available
Please see below a list of useful contacts:
- General Advice – Citizens Advicelink Cymru – 0800 702 2020
- Universal Credit – Help with your claim – 08000 241 220
- Housing Issues – Shelter Cymru – 08000 495 495
- Employment – ACAS – 0300 123 1100
- Debt – National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Emotional Support – Out of Hours Support – MIND “Twilight Sanctuary” From 7pm to 11pm – 01874 793118 or 07375 109 732
- Check your benefit entitlement – Citizens Advice “Claim What’s Yours” - 0808 250 5700
Mental Health Support
Samaritans is open 24/7 for support with any issues, including mental and emotional health problems. The helpline number is free to call from any phone.
Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Mind Pembrokeshire
· Out of Hours Support – - Call 01437 769 982 or call/text/whatsapp 07956 835 339
· Urgent Help, – Mind Pembrokeshire
Shout is a confidential 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. The helpline is free to use from most major mobile networks.
Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
YoungMinds operates a 24/7 text messaging service which provides support for young people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Free from major networks.
Text ‘YM’ to 85258
Things you can do yourself:
Unsure about what benefits you can claim? – You can call our free Claim What's Yours helpline 0808 250 5700 Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm.
Do you live in Wales and are in Financial Hardship? - you can apply directly for a Discretionary Assistance Fund Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf/how-apply
A grant to help pay for essential living costs, such as food, gas, electricity, and in some circumstances clothing or emergency travel if you:
- Experience extreme financial hardship
- Have lost employment or the household main stream of income
- Have applied for benefits and are waiting for the first payment.
- EAPs cannot be awarded to support ongoing costs or regular expenses that citizens cannot afford to pay. Entitlement is restricted to 3 paid applications within a rolling 12-month period, subject to the qualifying criteria being met. Occasionally the 3 in 12 entitlement can be expended by the Welsh Government under extreme circumstances, this will be communicated on the official DAF website.
Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23 – Welsh Government/Pembrokeshire County Council
Open from 26th September 2022. Apply HERE
Any households getting certain low-income benefits on any one day between 1 September 2022 and 31 January 2023 may be entitled to a one-off payment of £200 from Pembrokeshire Council to provide some support towards paying fuel bills. In addition to this, some households getting certain low-income benefit may be entitled to a further one-off payment of £150 from Pembrokeshire County Council if they are responsible for paying off-grid heating fuel bills. You only need to apply once for both schemes.
Cost of Living Support - further cost of living support schemes and other help on the Help for Households website.
Are your water bills unaffordable? – There are different grants, schemes and tariffs available, you can apply online from Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water’s “Helpu Tariff”
Pembrokeshire Foodbanks - Struggling to buy essentials like food? Click here to find your local service
In debt and behind with repayments - If you’re behind on some of your bills, be sure to get in touch with the organisations you owe money to, you may need to prioritise your debts. We have advice on our national website to help you to do this.
School Meals and School Uniforms - You may be able to get help towards these costs.
TV licence - help with paying your fees. If you are over 75 and receiving pension credit, you can apply for a free TV licence
Travel Cards for Over 60’ s - You are entitled to a concessionary travel card if you’re at least 60 years old and your primary residence in in Wales. Applications are on the Transport for Wales website.
Grant Support - Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Click here and find out how they may be able to help with grant support.
Things Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire can help you with:
Discretionary Assistance Fund - Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
A grant to help citizens live independently in their own home or a property they are moving into subject to the criteria being met and receipt of an income-based benefit. Items that can be applied for: White goods such as a fridge, cooker or washing machine, essential home furnishings such as beds, sofas or chairs. Click on this link to check if you are eligible
Are you struggling to pay for your Off-grid fuel? - if you need financial support with your off-grid fuel costs, support may be available from the Welsh Government Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).
Applications for an Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) for off-grid fuel have to be made formally via Citizens Advice Powys who are Trusted partners.
- You need to meet the criteria
- We need consent from you to make the referral on your behalf.
- We will need your bank account details.
- You will be asked to keep receipts for any purchase as proof, spot checks will be undertaken.
- Oil – payment for up to £250 as a contribution towards the purchase of a tank of oil. Maximum of one award for oil in a 12 month period.
- LP Gas – payment for up to £70 as a contribution towards of the purchase of LP gas. This can be awarded up to three times during a 12 month period (subject to your EAP award history and maximum support limit.)
- The award will be made as a BACS (bank transfer) only.
- Prepayment meter energy costs - other help may be available.
Contact Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire for more information or assistance. See our Contact page on this website