Advice Line for Cost of Living Crisis Support
To support Manchester residents through the cost-of-living crisis, Manchester City Council have an advice line that offers:
- Support with benefits and help with your rent (this is an existing offer made available through the contact centre)
- Advice about debt and paying bills (this will be done in conjunction with Citizen Advice Manchester)
- Food support (residents will receive a call back to understand their needs and connected into a local food offer)
- Support getting online (residents will be linked in with the Council’s digital inclusion team)
Open 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Phone free 0800 023 2692.
The person you speak to will have access to language line for residents whose first language is not English. Sign Video will also be available
You can Fill in the Request Cost of Living Advice form to get online support
Look on manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands for advice on the cost of living crisis.
If you are struggling to pay your water bill you can contact United Utilities so they are aware and can offer support.
If you are claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or some other benefits you may be able to access social tariffs for cheaper broadband and phone packages. Find out more on the Ofgem website.
Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) provides a map of foodbanks, furniture repairs and advice centres in Manchester.
Streetsupport provides further details of support available across Greater Manchester for people in poverty and experiencing homelessness.
You can apply to the local welfare assistance scheme in Manchester, which may provide help with furniture or energy payments.
Mustard Tree and Wesley Community Furniture offer help with affordable furniture
These links were recommended by Manchester Mind, for anyone who wants support.
Benchill Community Centre Laugh and Lunch Project
Support and advice around cost of Living with free refreshments and a healthy lunch, available at their office in Wythenshawe every Monday and Friday, 11am to 2pm.
For more information call 0161 946 9520
Find out more information about Benchill Community Centre Laugh and Lunch Project
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Manchester offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. Find out more on the Citizens Advice website.
Worried about energy bills?
Citizens Advice Manchester is partnering with Cadent to help with your energy concerns from Monday to Friday. Find out more information on what they can help with.
Free SIM cards with internet access
Any Manchester resident (over the age of 18) who is on a low income and struggling to pay for internet access can now get a free SIM loaded with free data.
SIMs come with free internet access for up to 6 months!
All you have to do is pop into your local library and ask for help.
List of libraries where you can access free data
Tax Credits are Changing - time to claim Universal Credit
Some benefits including Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits are ending. If you get any these you need to apply for Universal Credit. This is a way of having all your benefits in one place.
If your benefit is changing to Universal Credit, you will get a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions. This letter is called a Migration Notice and the letter asks you to claim Universal Credit. It is very important you keep the letter. The letter will have a date on it, you must have applied for Universal Credit by this date, or you may lose money. You will usually have three months to claim.
You can get help to claim by calling the free helpline 0800 328 5644
If you have problems hearing or speaking on the phone, you can use Relay UK Dial 18001 then 0800 169 0328
If you need extra support to apply, you can use the Citizen Advice Bureau’s Help to Claim Service. Freephone 0800 144 8444 Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. A translation service is available, just ask when you call .
You can get help from an adviser using online chat:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim
Find out more:
www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/ tax-credits-customers/support-available
Help your family stay healthy and apply for your prepaid Healthy Start card
For more information and to apply to the NHS Healthy Start scheme, visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk Or call the on 0300 330 7010
Winter is a time when you may worry about keeping your baby warm enough, especially with the rising cost of living.
For winter warmth advice for your baby visit: Baby winter warm advice
Groundwork
Energy, advice and support
Helping Greater Manchester residents become warmer, healthier and better off in their homes by providing energy saving advice and home improvements to put an end to cold homes.
Lets Get Digital
As the cost of living crisis continues, the MCC Digital Inclusion team want to share the support they can offer to residents who are struggling.
From cheap laptops and PCs to free WiFi and smartphones, they can get the kit and data that residents need to get online and for those who need to boost their digital skills, there are many locations across the city offering free classes and drop ins. They have created this directory where you can filter by postcode or ward to find your nearest class.
They also offer free telephone support to people who have internet access at home, but don’t have the skills or confidence to use it effectively. To access this free support,
Text: 07860 064128 or
Email: digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk
Digital exclusion is far more likely to affect those on low incomes, can cost
households up to £560 per year from the missed savings of shopping and paying bills online, and will negatively affect earnings. People with higher digital skills earn 3-10% more than those with low skills, make greater savings online and can access public services more easily. They believe that digital inclusion is an essential part of the response to the cost-of-living crisis. Please get in touch or see their website to find out more: https://manchesterdigitalstrategy.com/projects-1/lets-get-digital
View this leaflet which shares QR codes to money saving apps and websites
Your local library is a warm welcome space to have a brew, a chat, get advice, pick up a Free data SIM and get online. Stay as long as you want.
Manchester City Council
Winter warmth advice for you and your home. Help to keep warm and well this winter
- Help with energy bills
- Community warm hubs
- Cost of living support
- How catching flu can cost you
Manchester MIND
Their Food For All Team offer support for those experiencing food poverty and mental health problems. You can also access support from an Advice Worker at these sessions
Max Your Money
The Growth Company launched this initiative to support GM residents with the cost of living crisis. Max Your Money allows residents to easily understand what services they offer which can help them maximise their income whether it is finding employment, securing an additional job, gaining new skills to secure a better job or accessing support to develop their business.
They are working with a partner network which includes Citizen’s Advice, Trussell Trust & GM Poverty Action who will promote their offer to their customers, many of whom are accessing advice services for the first time.
Northmoor Community Association
Northmoor Community Diner
Everyone is welcome to come to their Northmoor Community Diner where you can come, eat a freshly cooked meal for only £1, meet people from the community and find out what’s going locally.
The Wise Group
HEAT - Are you struggling with fuel prices and need some advice?
This service is open to people in the North West of England, and is a crisis support for people in fuel poverty.
Their new service with their HEAT mentors is to provide support to individuals who are at risk of fuel poverty, currently experiencing fuel poverty or who simply need some guidance in relation to their energy usage or supply.
They can support customers to alleviate debt, address energy concerns and potentially access funding for fuel support.
They will be able to provide support in the following ways:
- Income Maximisation
- Distribution of Crisis Funds
- Fuel Debt Support
- Energy Saving Tips and Measures
- Support Applications for additional services
Call 0800 092 9002 or email octopusheat@thewisegroup.co.uk
Top tips to save money on your energy bills
United Utilities
United Utilities is offering online debt support service to everyone in the North West amid ongoing cost of living crisis. You can visit their Hardship Hub to find out more about the support available for you.
Catching flu can cost you in many ways:
- Including your time, It can be up to two weeks of feeling ill.
- Including your plans, meeting up with family and friends.
- Money, If you don’t get sick pay or need to buy any medication.
A flu jab is free and done in minutes.
Find out more about the flu vaccine
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