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Cost of Living Support & Guide

Published on 28 July 2022 04:58 PM

cost of living guides

Worried about rising bills, food prices and staying healthy this winter?  Find out about upcoming events, support that's available to maximise your income and minimise your bills and practical steps that you can take.

Helpful events & information sessions

There are a number of online information sessions and drop-ins coming up this month organised by the council and other organisations.  Shamin Noronha, Team Leader - Information & Advice will be speaking about support from Age UK Islington.

Lunch & Learn: Cost of Living & Wellbeing

Wednesday 26 October, 12 - 1.30pm, Islington Town Hall, N1 

Join staff from across Islington Council who are supporting residents with the rise in the cost of living to explore challenges the Islington community is facing and what support is available to residents. Light refreshments will be served and an arts and crafts table will be set up for attendees with children.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunch-and-learn-cost-of-living-and-wellbeing-tickets-408167378617

Surviving Winter Event

Friday 7 October, 10am - 2pm, St Luke's Community Centre

Find out about: support that’s available in Islington grants from energy companies and local organisations, money saving tips, reducing food waste services for families. Information available for local residents of all ages and signposting to support organisations.

https://www.slpt.org.uk/Event/surviving-winter-information-event

Digital Workshop – Energy Saving Tips & Advice

Monday 17th October, 2pm

This online training session, led by the Clarion Digital Skills Team, provides advice and guidance on a range of actions you can take to help you save money on your energy bills. By the end of this session, you will have learned:

·       What uses Energy in our Homes?

·       How to save money on Gas & Electricity

·       Types of Fuel, Energy Bills & Reading Meters

·       Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bill

·       Price Comparison – The Latest Position

To find out more or for the link to join this session on Zoom, please contact gulum@healthwatchislington.co.uk on 07949 182687

Let's Talk Peer Event

For a regular update about local support and the financial support that's available, why not book to attend our monthly Let's Talk sessions? They are taking place in-person at the LIFT Islington venue and on Zoom.

Wednesday 19 October 2022, 10.15am - 12.45pm, LIFT Islington, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW or via Zoom

Free refreshments & healthy snacks will be available at LIFT Islington

October's session will include a Cost-of-Living Crisis talk by Islington Council Income Maximisation Team (IMAX).

For more information and to book, see the Let's Talk webpage.

Working out how much your bills will be

For an explanation of the Energy Price Cap and to get an estimate of your bill if you're currently on a price-capped standard tariff (it won't work for those on fixed), you can plug in your figures to the calculator on the Money Saving Expert website for an estimate of what you'll pay under the new energy price guarantee.

Practical steps you can take

If you're worried about rising bills and food prices, there are some simple steps that you can take that can make all the difference to your financial situation.
 
  1. Are you getting the benefits that you're entitled to?  So many older people don't claim pension credit, yet it can be a gateway to other financial help.
  2. If you are struggling with paying your bills or rent, make sure you contact your energy supplier or landlord as early as you can. If you're in debt, get help to identify which are the "priority debts" that you should pay first.
  3. Make sure you do regular meter readings for your gas and electricity. This can avoid expensive readjustments at a later date. It is especially important to do before utility prices go up to save any dispute about what you used before or after the prices went up.
  4.  See if you are eligible to join the Priority Services Register.  This can help customers who are older or living with a health condition or disability with things like regular meter reading services.
  5. If you find that you are struggling, take steps to help the situation as soon as you can!  Call Age UK Islington helpline on 020 7281 6018.  We can provide general guidance by phone, arrange an appointment where needed and help you to take the next steps, including supported connections to other organisations. You can also meet us at at partner venues around Islington.
Our staff help make sure that residents are getting the benefits and that they are entitled to, that they are getting any help that they are eligible for from utility companies and what steps to take if they are in debt or financial hardship.  
 

Cost of Living Guide: Managing Energy Bills Guide

There’s lots of support that is available to help protect Islington residents against rising energy prices.  Age UK Islington has put together a guide to let you know:

  • What financial help you might be eligible to receive and why pension credit is so important, yet often goes unclaimed
  • Help available from utility companies, including potential discounts and other support; what to do if you are in trouble paying your bill
  • What else you can do to reduce your energy costs and bills

Read the full guide here.

Further information from Islington Council

Find out how you can get help to manage your money with the Council here. Information includes: · Help with Council tax and rent · Maximising your income · Help to Save · Childcare costs · Energy bills · Resident Support Scheme · And more!

https://www.islington.gov.uk/advice/money-and-debt-advice

If You Need Further Help

Contact Age UK Islington’s helpline: 020 7281 6018 and we can have a
conversation to understand your situation. Where needed, we can then
connect you to Islington services that will be best placed to help.

Useful Contact Numbers

Department of Work and Pensions - Universal Credit Enquiry Line: telephone 0800 328 5644 or for other ways of contacting them, see the webpage.

Department of Work and Pensions - Pension Credit Enquiry Line: telephone 0800 99 1234 or for other ways of contacting them, see the webpage.

Age UK Islington Helpline: 020 7281 6018 / gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm).

Islington Carers Hub Helpline: 020 7281 6018 / 3319 info@islingtoncarershub.org (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm).

Age UK Islington - Cost of Living Guide - Managing Your Energy Bills (full guide)