Check if you are eligible for additional financial support

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, it’s well worth doing a bit of research online. There is a wide range of grants, benefits and support available, including from the government, your energy suppliers and your local council, which may be able to help through the government’s Household Support Fund. The Government's   Help for Households Campaign is a good place to start.  The  MoneySavingExpert web page provides a neat summary of what’s on offer, the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Make sure you receive all the help that you are entitled to. Check when the energy rebate and other cost-of-living payments are due; how the payments will be made (this will depend on how you pay your energy bills); and what to do if they don’t arrive. These three links will give you a good starting point for your research: BBC ,  Citizens Advice and StepChange

Central Bedfordshire Council has set up a dedicated information hub on their website for anyone concerned about the cost of living. This includes information about funding to help with food, energy and water bills and other wider essentials and a network of warm spaces across Central Bedfordshire for people to use when the temperatures drop.