 Christmas closures
Some of our services change over the Christmas period, so take a look at our dedicated Christmas closure webpage to find out if any of the changes effect you.
The majority of things that can usually be done at our council offices can also be done on our dedicated Report It / Request It / Apply For It area of the Torfaen website.
 In financial hardship?
Please don't delay, get in touch with Torfaen Builiding Resilient Communities team,
They can help you access food parcels and grants for essential household items such as gas & electric as well as help you budget and plan purchases, Contact Julian on 07951822017 | julian.allen@torfaen.gov.uk or Samantha on 07908215963 | Samantha.scott@torfaen.gov.uk
The BRC office will be closed from 12pm on Friday 23 December until Tuesday 3 January.
Advicelink Cymru
Are you struggling with your finances but don’t know where to turn to for advice?
Advicelink Cymru can help you check if you’re eligible for any extra support. Call today for free on 0808 250 5700 to claim what’s yours. Or visit: gov.wales/heretohelp
Discretionary Assistance Fund
Welsh Government grants for essential costs such as gas and electricity, as well as food, clothing or emergency travel.
For more information visit https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
What can you do if someone is sleeping rough?
If you are aware of someone who may be sleeping rough, please contact Torfaen Council to let us know where they are and help us to co-ordinate a response. You can inform us in one of 3 ways:
- Telephoning Customer Care on 01495 762200 or you can report concern for a homeless person here
- Reporting the information via the Street Link website or app, or by
- Contacting our support partners The Wallich on 01495 366895
A one-off £200 payment to help eligible households with fuel costs this winter is open for applications.
If you believe you are eligible but have not received a letter or email, you can apply online.The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 28 February 2023.
Local Energy Advice Partnership
The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) service is now available across Torfaen through Age Connects Torfaen.
An Energy Advisor will offer residents a home energy advice visit, providing energy advice, and free low-cost energy saving measures (includes LED lights, radiator reflectors and chimney balloons).
This service is available to anyone over the age of 18 with a household income below £31k or in receipt of a range of benefits. You can apply by calling 01495 769264.
Warmer Wales
Warmer Wales is a free comprehensive and impartial service that can help you reduce your energy bills through supplier switching, insulation grants and more informed use.
Call Citizens Advice Torfaen on 01633 876121 to speak to an Energy Adviser, or visit the website here.
The Priority Services Register is a free support service provided by Energy suppliers and network operators to help people in vulnerable situations.
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For more information or to check eligibilty criteria, click here
 Benefits, debt and household bills
Citizens Advice Torfaen
The Citizens Advice service is available to all adults seeking help with benefits, debt, housing, employment and any other issue you may have.
People can access a general advice drop-in session at Cwmbran Library every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
For a full list of support sessions, visit the Citizens Advice website or call 01633 876 121 to book an appointment, or 0808 278 7935 for advice over the phone.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
If you are struggling to pay your rent, you may be eligible to a Discretionary Housing Payment. DHP's are normally only awarded for a short period, for example 3 months.
Not yet applied? You can apply here for Discretionary Housing Payment. Any queries, call 01495 766430 | 766570 or email at benefits@torfaen.gov.uk
Council Tax Reduction
If you are on a low income or receive Universal Credit or Income Support, you may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax.
To apply for Council Tax Reduction, complete the online application or call the New Claims Team on 0300 456 3559 or email benefitapplication@torfaen.gov.uk
Torfaen Housing Support Grant
The Housing Support Grant team provide a range of free support services to individuals living in Torfaen who have a housing related support need. They help to prevent homelessness, stabilise a person’s housing situation and encourage them to live independently.
To access these services, call 01495 766949, email Gateway@torfaen.gov.uk or complete the online form.
Help for Households (gov.uk)
If you are struggling with the rising cost of living, the UK Government have created the Help for Households website which puts available financial support and advice all in one place.
See what cost of living support you could be eligible for at helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk
Welsh Water - HelpU scheme
Welsh Water have a range of schemes and tariffs designed to support customers with financial challenges.
If you have a low income, you may be entitled to a reduction on your water rates through the HelpU scheme. Apply online here
Food banks
If your struggling to put food on the table you could be entitled to receive food vouchers.
Building Resilient Communities, Citizens Advice, JobCentre Plus, GP surgeries, health visitors and social workers all hand out vouchers which can be used at a local food bank.
A list of food banks operating across Torfaen can be found on the TVA website.
Warm Spaces
There are a number of venues opening their doors this Winter to provide a warm, welcoming space for residents, with some offering a hot meal and drink.
You can drop it for a chat, partake in activities and find what other support is available to you..A list of warm spaces operating in Torfaen can be found on the Connect Torfaen website
Salvation Army Warm Welcome
The Salvation Army in Cwmbran are hosting a Winter Warm Welcome Walk-in every Monday, from 12 – 2pm, until the end of March 2023.
Come and sit in a warm space, form friendships and enjoy a free lunch consisting of soup, sandwich, jacket potato, healthy sweet and fruit, tea and coffee. The service will be closed on Monday 26 December.
Love Food Hate Waste
No one wants to waste food, especially now, so make your food go further by taking a look at some of the hints and tips on the Love Food Hate Waste website.
The website can help you plan meals, work out the perfect portion size, and can even help you create meals with any leftovers you may have.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website
Mental Health and wellbeing support...
 Platfform
Registered charity Platfform work with people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health and are based in Pontypool Indoor Market. They also help with setting up new tenancies, liaising with landlords and authorities.
Melo Cymru
Melo Cymru website contains a wide range of free self-help mental health resources, approved by experts.
The information, advice and resources available will help you learn practical skills to manage difficult feelings/situations, which may help reduce the riskof becoming mentally unwell. Vsiti: www.melo.cymru/
ABB Healthier Together
ABB Healthier Together is here for you and your family, with a variety of health and wellbeing advice for parents, young people and pregnant women.
Website: abbhealthiertogether.cymru.nhs.uk
C.A.L.L. Helpline
The C.A.L.L. Helpline is a dedicated mental health helpline, providing confidential support to help you find support available in your local area. This includes voluntary and charitable organisations.
Contact 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066 (Croesawir galwadau yn
Gymraeg / Calls are welcomed in Welsh)
MIND - Money and mental health
Poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder. Worrying about
money can make your mental health worse. It can start to feel like a vicious cycle.
Find out more about organising your finances, claiming beneits, when you have a mental
health problem, dealing with services, and looking after your mental health.when you’re worried about money. Visit: Money and mental health - Mind
Cau dros y Nadolig
Mae rhai o’n gwasanaethau’n newid dros gyfnod y Nadolig, felly cymerwch olwg ar ein tudalen we arbennig ar gyfer cau dros y Nadolig i weld a oes unrhyw un o’r newidiadau’n effeithio arnoch chi.
Gall y rhan fwyaf o'r pethau y gellir eu gwneud fel arfer yn swyddfeydd y cyngor hefyd gael eu gwneud yn ein hardal bwrpasol Rhoi Gwybod / Gofyn Amdano / Gwneud Cais Amdano ar y wefan.
Wynebu caledi ariannol?
Peidiwch ag oedi, cysylltwch â thîm Creu Cymunedau Cryf Torfaen.
Gallant eich helpu i gael mynediad at barseli bwyd a grantiau ar gyfer eitemau hanfodol i’r cartref, fel nwy a thrydan yn ogystal â'ch helpu i gyllidebu a chynllunio wrth brynu,
Cysylltwch â Julian ar 07951822017 neu Samantha ar 07908215963
Advicelink Cymru
Ydych chi mewn trafferthion ariannol ond ddim yn gwybod lle i droi i gael cyngor?
Gall Advicelink Cymru eich helpu i edrych a ydych chi’n gymwys i gael unrhyw gymorth ychwanegol. Ffoniwch heddiw am ddim ar 0808 250 5700 i hawlio eich arian.
Neu ewch i: llyw.cymru/ymaihelpu
Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol
Grantiau Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer costau hanfodol fel nwy a thrydan, yn ogystal â bwyd, dillad neu deithio brys.
I gael mwy o wybodaeth ewch i https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Beth allwch chi ei wneud os yw rhywun yn cysgu ar y stryd?
Os ydych yn gwybod bod rhywun yn cysgu ar y stryd, cysylltwch â Chyngor Torfaen i adael i ni wybod ble y maen nhw a’n helpu i gydlynu ymateb. Gallwch roi gwybod i ni mewn 3 ffordd:
- Ffonio Gofal Cwsmeriaid ar 01495 762200 neu fe allwch roi gwybod os ydych yn gofidio am berson digartref yma
- Riportio’r wybodaeth drwy wefan neu ap Street Link neu drwy
- Cysylltu â’n partneriaid cymorth The Wallich ar 01495 366895
Cynllun Cymorth Tanwydd Gaeaf Llywodraeth Cymru
Mae taliad un tro gwerth £200 i helpu aelwydydd sy’n gymwys, gyda’u costau tanwydd y gaeaf hwn yn awr yn derbyn ceisiadau.
Os ydych yn credu eich bod yn gymwys ond heb dderbyn llythyr neu e-bost, gallwch fynd ati wneud cais ar lein. Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer ceisiadau yw 5pm, ddydd Mawrth 28 Chwefror 2023.
Partneriaeth Cyngor Ynni Lleol
Mae gwasanaeth Partneriaeth Cyngor Ynni Lleol (LEAP) bellach ar gael ledled Torfaen trwy Age Connects Torfaen.
Bydd Cynghorydd Ynni yn cynnig ymweliad cyngor ynni cartref i breswylwyr, gan roi cyngor ynni, a mesurau arbed ynni rhad ac am ddim (gan gynnwys goleuadau LED,
adlewyrchyddion rheiddiaduron a balŵns simnai). Mae'r gwasanaeth hwn ar gael i unrhyw un dros 18 oed sydd ag incwm cartref o dan £31k neu sy'n derbyn ystod o fudd-daliadau. Gallwch wneud cais drwy ffonio 01495 769264.
Cynhesu Cymru
Mae Cynhesu Cymru yn wasanaeth cynhwysfawr a diduedd am ddim a all eich helpu i leihau eich biliau ynni trwy newid cyflenwyr, derbyn grantiau inswleiddio a bod yn fwy craff wrth ddefnyddio ynni.
Rhowch alwad i Gyngor ar Bopeth Torfaen ar 01633 876121 i siarad ag Ymgynghorydd Ynni, neu ewch i’w wefan, yma.
Cofrestr Gwasanaethau Blaenoriaethol
Mae’r Gofrestr Gwasanaethau Blaenoriaethol yn wasanaeth cymorth rhad ac am ddim a ddarperir gan ddarparwyr ynni a’r rheini sy’n gweithredu rhwydweithiau, i helpu pobl mewn sefyllfaoedd bregus.
I gael mwy o wybodaeth neu i weld y meini prawf cymhwyster, cliciwch yma
Mae Gwasanaeth Cyngor ar Bopeth Torfaen ar gael i bob oedolyn sy'n ceisio cymorth gyda budd -daliadau, dyled, tai, cyflogaeth ac unrhyw fater arall a allai fod gennych.
Mae’r Ganolfan CAB yn gweithredu sesiwn galw heibio i gynnig cyngor cyffredinol yn Llyfrgell CWMBRÂN bob dydd Llun, dydd Mawrth, dydd Iau a dydd Gwener rhwng 9.30am a 3.30pm.
I gael rhestr lawn o’r sesiynau cyngor cyffredinol, ewch i wefan CAB neu ffoniwch 01633 876 121 i drefnu apwyntiad, neu 0808 278 7935 i gael cyngor dros y ffôn.
Taliad Disgresiwn at Gostau Tai (DHP)
Os ydych chi'n cael trafferth talu'ch rhent, efallai y byddwch chi'n gymwys i dderbyn Taliad Disgresiwn at Gostau Tai. Fel rheol dim ond am gyfnod byr y telir hwn, er enghraifft 3 mis.
Heb wneud cais eto? Gallwch wneud cais yma am Daliad Disgresiwn at Gostau Tai. Unrhyw ymholiadau, ffoniwch 01495 766430 | 766570 neu e-bostiwch benefits@torfaen.gov.uk
Gostyngiad Treth y Cyngor
Os ydych ar incwm isel neu’n derbyn Credyd Cynhwysol neu Gymhorthdal Incwm, efallai y bydd gennych hawl i ostyngiad yn eich treth gyngor.
I wneud cais am Ostyngiad Treth y Cyngor, cwblhewch y cais ar-lein neu ffoniwch y Tîm Hawliadau Newydd ar 0300 456 3559 neu e-bostiwch benefitapplication@torfaen.gov.uk
Grant Cymorth Tai Torfaen
Mae tîm y Grant Cymorth Tai yn darparu amrywiaeth o wasanaethau cymorth am ddim i unigolion sy’n byw yn Nhorfaen, y mae angen cyngor arnynt sy’n ymwneud â thai. Maent yn helpu i atal digartrefedd, yn sefydlogi sefyllfa unigolyn os yw’n ymwneud â thai, ac yn eu hannog i fyw'n annibynnol.
I gael hyd i’r gwasanaethau hyn, ffoniwch 01495 766949, e-bostiwch Gateway@torfaen.gov.uk neu ewch ati i lenwi’r ffurflen ar lein
Help i Aelwydydd (gov.uk)
Os ydych yn cael anhawster gyda chostau byw cynyddol, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi creu’r wefan Help for Households sy’n rhoi’r cymorth a’r cyngor ariannol sydd ar gael i gyd yn yr un lle - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/
Dŵr Cymru – Cynllun HelpU
Mae Dŵr Cymru yn cynnig amrywiaeth o gynlluniau a thariffau sydd wedi eu cynllunio i gynorthwyo cwsmeriaid sy’n wynebu heriau ariannol.
Os ydych chi ar incwm isel, fe allech chi fod yn gymwys i ostyngiad yn eich trethi dŵr, drwy gynllun HelpU, felly beth am fynd ati a gwneud cais ar lein yma
Banciau bwyd
Os ydych chi'n cael trafferth rhoi bwyd ar y bwrdd fe allech chi fod â hawl i dderbyn talebau bwyd.
Mae Creu Cymunedau Cadarn, Cyngor ar Bopeth, Y Ganolfan Byd Gwaith, meddygfeydd, ymwelwyr iechyd a gweithwyr cymdeithasol yn dosbarthu talebau y gellir eu defnyddio mewn banc bwyd lleol.
Mae rhestr o’r holl fanciau bwyd sydd ar gael ar draws Torfaen i’w gweld ar wefan CGT.
Mannau Cynnes
Mae yna nifer o leoliadau yn agor eu drysau y Gaeaf hwn i gynnig man cynnes a chroesawgar i drigolion, ac mae rhai hyd yn oed yn cynnig pryd bwyd poeth a diod.
Galwch heibio am sgwrs, cymerwch ran mewn gweithgareddau a darganfod pa gymorth arall sydd ar gael.
Mae rhestr o fannau cynnes sy’n agor eu drysau ar draws Torfaen i’w gweld ar wefan Cysylltu Torfaen
Croeso Cynnes Byddin yr Iachawdwriaeth
Mae Byddin yr Iachawdwriaeth yng Nghwmbrân yn cynnal Taith Gerdded Croeso Cynnes y Gaeaf bob dydd Llun, rhwng 12 a 2pm, tan ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2023.
Dewch i eistedd mewn gofod cynnes, gwneud ffrindiau a mwynhau cinio rhad ac am ddim sy'n cynnwys cawl, brechdan, taten drwy'i chroen, melysion iach a ffrwythau, te a choffi. Bydd y gwasanaeth ar gau ddydd Llun 26 Rhagfyr.
Hoffi Bwyd Casáu Gwastraff
Nid oes unrhyw un eisiau gwastraffu bwyd, yn enwedig nawr, felly gwnewch i'ch bwyd fynd ymhellach trwy edrych ar rai o'r awgrymiadau a'r awgrymiadau ar wefan Hoffi Bwyd Casáu Gwastraff.
Gall y wefan eich helpu i gynllunio prydau bwyd, gweithio allan y maint dogn perffaith, a gall hyd yn oed eich helpu i greu prydau gydag unrhyw fwyd dros ben sydd gennych.
Ewch i wefan Hoffi Bwyd Casáu Gwastraff
Platfform
Mae Platfform, elusen gofrestredig yn gweithio gyda phobl sy’n wynebu heriau iechyd meddwl. Maent wedi eu lleoli ym Marchnad Dan Do Pont-y-pŵl.
Maent hefyd yn helpu gyda sefydlu tenantiaethau newydd, cysylltu a landlordiaid ac awdurdodau.
Melo Cymru
Mae gwefan Melo Cymru yn cynnwys ystod eang o adnoddau hunangymorth iechyd meddwl yn rhad ac am ddim, wedi eu cymeradwyo gan arbenigwyr.
Bydd y wybodaeth, y cyngor a'r adnoddau sydd ar gael yn eich helpu i ddysgu sgiliau ymarferol i reoli teimladau/sefyllfaoedd anodd, a allai helpu i leihau'r risg o ddod yn sâl yn feddyliol. Ewch i: www.melo.cymru/
ABB Healthier Together
Mae ABB Healthier Together yma i chi a’ch teulu, ac yn cynnig amrywiaeth o gyngor ar iechyd a lles i rieni, pobl ifanc a menywod beichiog.
Gwefan: abbhealthiertogether.cymru.nhs.uk
Llinell gymorth C.A.L.L.
Mae Llinell gymorth C.A.L.L. yn llinell gymorth bwrpasol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl. Mae’n cynnig cymorth cyfrinachol i’ch helpu i ddod o hyd i’r cymorth sydd ar gael yn eich ardal leol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys mudiadau gwirfoddol ac elusennol.
Cysylltwch ar 0800 132 737 neu anfonwch neges destun ‘help’ i 81066 (Croesawir galwadau yn Gymraeg)
MIND – Arian ac iechyd meddwl
Gall ennill a rheoli arian fod yn anoddach os ydych yn dioddef iechyd meddwl gwael. Gall poeni am arian waethygu eich iechyd meddwl. Gall ddechrau teimlo fel cylch cythreulig.
Darganfyddwch mwy am drefnu eich cyllid a hawlio budd-daliadau, pan fydd gennych broblemau iechyd meddwl, delio â gwasanaethau a gofalu am eich iechyd meddwl pan rydych chi’n gofidio am arian. Ewch i: Arian a iechyd meddwl - Mind
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Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Torfaen Nifty Thrifty bulletin!
It's been an extremely challenging few months for many families but there is a vast amount of support still available.
Although some services close down over the festive period, there is a lot of help and advice available online, It's never too late to ask for help, but the quicker you get help the better.
Stay up to date with the latest cost of living related support, grants and advice, by visiting the Torfaen Council website.
Not following our Nifty Thrifty Torfaen Facebook page? Then click here