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With the impact of COVID-19, recent gas price increases, and the removal of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit, Bedford Borough Council is encouraging local residents to check what support they are eligible for.
On the website, the Council has pulled together the various forms of local and national support that are available to people facing financial pressure at this time.
The help available includes Council Tax support where residents on the lowest incomes in Bedford Borough can get support to reduce their council tax bills.
If your circumstances have changed and you think you may be eligible for Council Tax support there is information available on this webpage.
This webpage also has information about how to apply for Universal Credit, and the eligibility criteria for free school meals.
The Council also provides more immediate financial support through hardship support and crisis grants, to help people manage through an emergency or crisis if they have low income and are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
The last 18 months have been difficult for everyone, with lockdowns and the continued uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic bringing new worries and challenges into people’s lives.
Sunday 10 October 2021 is World Mental Health Day and Bedford Borough Council are encouraging residents to check in, and try out the Every Mind Matters ‘Mind Plan Quiz’.
The Mind Plan Quiz asks participants five questions about their mood, sleeping patterns and general wellbeing. Participants will then receive a personalised mind plan with top tips to help them look after their mental wellbeing.
Other local support includes Kooth for children and young people in Bedford Borough aged 11-25. They can access Kooth’s free online mental wellbeing community, where they can access free, safe and anonymous support through online forums and live chat with a qualified counsellor online.
Mind BLMK are offering a number of Wellbeing Webinars that can be accessed for free. The webinars cover topics ranging from managing your worries and dealing with stress to improving your sleep.
Stagecoach, Grant Palmer, Uno and Bedford Borough Council have relaunched the ‘Cygnet’ bus pass, which enables bus users to switch freely between the three local bus operators without the need to buy multiple tickets. The pass operates as a paper ticket and allows for unlimited travel on any Stagecoach, Grant Palmer and Uno bus in the Stagecoach Megarider zone, over the period of a day or a week - and users can mix and match bus providers.
The Cygnet travel zone equates to the area currently covered by the Stagecoach Megarider, which includes the whole of Bedford and Kempston, as well as surrounding villages such as Bromham, Oakley, Cople and Elstow.
The ‘Cygnet’ pass is £6 for a day ticket, with the weekly ticket priced at £18.
Please feel free to forward this email bulletin on to friends and colleagues.
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