Cost of living
The Government has announced a range of measures to assist with the rising cost of living.
Full details about these measures can be found in the GOV UK Cost of living support factsheet (Opens in a new window). and the Help For Households website (Opens in a new window).
Maximising your income / benefits
Universal Credit (UC)
The DWP want to encourage people who could be better off financially to consider moving to UC. They estimate that more than half of current claimants will be better off.
Find out more about Universal Credit (Opens in a new window).
Pension Credit
This is one of the most under-claimed benefits by those of pension-age. If you are entitled to Pension Credit this can lead to additional help with Council Tax and free TV licences for over 75's. To check if you, or a family member might be entitled to Pension Credit, visit the Pension Credit calculator (Opens in a new window).
Extra support to help with rising bills will be offered to more than 14,000 Nottinghamshire pensioners(Opens in a New Window) who currently receive Pension Credit. Support will be administered by Nottinghamshire County Council.
Housing Benefit
If you are pension-age and live in rented accommodation and are on a low income you may be able to claim help with your rent via Housing Benefit.
Council Tax Support
If you pay Council Tax and are on a low income you may be able to claim Council Tax Support.
Discretionary Housing Payments
If you are in private rented or Housing Association accommodation and your rent is not covered in full by Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit, the council has limited funding to support some shortfalls via our Discretionary Housing Payment scheme.
Disability Cost of Living Payment
Six million disabled people in the UK will receive their one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment from 20 September 2022, to help with the rising cost of living. Those being paid a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically by their usual payment method from 20 September 2022, with most payments being made over the next few weeks.
For anyone currently awaiting a decision on a disability benefit claim who subsequently receives an award, the Disability Cost of Living Payment will be made automatically as long the qualifying benefit covers 25 May 2022.
For disabled people on low-incomes, this payment comes on top of means-tested Cost of Living payments, £400 for all households to help with energy bills, and an extra £150 for properties in Council Tax bands A to D in England.
For more information, go to the Cost of Living Payment(Opens in a New Window) page on gov.uk.
General benefit advice
For all general benefits advice go to:
- GOV UK Benefits (Opens in a new window)
- Nottinghamshire County Council Benefits Advice (Opens in a new window)
Managing your money / expenditure
If you need help to manage your money and general budgeting advice, there is a useful tool available on the Citizens Advice website - Work out your budget - Citizens Advice (Opens in a new window)
If you are experiencing difficulties with your household energy costs in the first instance, please discuss this with your provider. The Citizens Advice website also contains some useful information regarding grants and benefits available to help pay energy bills.
Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - Citizens Advice (Opens in a new window) or find out about Council Tax and energy price increases.
View our Energy Saving Tips.
If you are having difficulties with your water payments, Severn Trent's Big Difference scheme (Opens in a new window) is available for those on a low income.
Financial Health and Debt
If you are struggling with managing your money or need advice about financial support and benefits, the following organisations may be able to help. The important thing is not to delay in making contact and getting the advice you need.
- Turn2Us is a National Charity who provide financial support to help people get back on track. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ (Opens in a new window)
- Citizens Advice – Broxtowe Borough Council works closely with Citizens Advice to provide support to residents of the Borough. https://citizensadvicebroxtowe.org.uk/ (Opens in a new window)
- Money Advice Service - Free and impartial money advice, set up by government www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en (Opens in a new window)
- Broxtowe’s Financial Inclusion Officer - Broxtowe employs a financial inclusion officer who can help you with budgeting, benefits and accessing funding. This service is available to Broxtowe’s tenants only. For more information or to arrange an appointment please call the Customer Services Team on 0115 917 7777.
Housing options
If you need other housing advice or are homeless or at risk of being made homeless, the Housing Options Team can provide help and support. Visit our Housing Options and Homelessness page.
Get help with summer holiday childcare costs
Families can use Tax-Free Childcare (Opens in a new window) to help pay for childcare costs this summer.