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Today’s Residents’ Round-up is all about providing help if you’re struggling with the cost of living.
We’re working with our voluntary and community partners to get people the help they need.
If you aren’t struggling, you can help others by sharing this email or forwarding to your networks.
And if you’ve had this email forwarded on and you’re seeing these for the first time, you can sign up for more updates by email.
I’m not struggling but want to help others
As the cost of living crisis continues through this winter, the borough’s groups need more people to help out.
Sign up to volunteer through the borough's volunteer centre, working with local community, voluntary and charitable groups.
There will be more ways you can help out if you can and we’ll promote these soon.
 Financial support is available
We’ve paid more than £5million to residents in Council Tax bands A to D through the Council Tax Energy Rebates scheme.
The discretionary scheme helps people living in bands E to H if you meet certain criteria. See our Council Tax discretionary rebate pages for full details.
Other financial help available includes:
Our Local Welfare Provision is also available. This is a scheme run by us to help people who are in a crisis or emergency situation and where additional assistance would help prevent the crisis or emergency from escalating.
Household Support Fund
If you are struggling to pay for food, energy bills and other household essentials, help could be available now.
The latest round of the Household Support Fund is now open for applications. This is open to those struggling with rising costs of living as well as people in receipt of benefits.
Our partners can provide £120 in the form of food, fuel or cash vouchers.
Food for children during school holidays
If you live in Wokingham Borough and have a child or children on benefits-related free school meals, you can apply for £15 per week for each eligible child just ahead of half-term, the Christmas and Easter holidays.
 Help for children
 Help keeping your house warm
- See if you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount – money off your electricity bill
- Ensure you get your Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 25 September 1956, to help pay your heating bills
- Remember you could claim the Cold Weather Payment if you get certain support and the average temperature is recorded as forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row (applies from 1 November to 31 March)
- Make your home more energy efficient to lower your fuel bills through the help to heat scheme
- There’s also options for energy saving at home, including cheaper ways to install energy saving materials at your property
 Help with household bills
Water bills
Households on low income can apply for financial support through their local water provider.
Energy bill grants
If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off. The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:
If your supplier isn’t listed, it’s a good idea to contact them directly to see what extra support they can give you.
Broadband and phone help
Help with finding cheaper broadband or phone offers for eligible households is available from Ofcom.
 Reducing energy costs
The charity Energy Saving Trust has an incredible amount of advice for those looking to save money on energy bills (savings are based on averages).
Here are the top energy saving hacks if you’re looking to save:
- Turn appliances off at the plug socket (saves around £65 per year)
- Draught proof windows and doors (can save around £125 per year)
- Turn off lights you’re not using (saves around £25 per year)
- Use a 30-degree cycle on your washing machine and reduce runs by one per week (£34 per year)
- Avoid using the tumble dryer (saves £70 per year)
- Keep your shower to four minutes (saves £95 per year) or swap the bath for a shower (saves £20 per year)
- Avoid overfilling the kettle (saves £13 per year)
- Fill the dishwasher each time (saves £17 per year)
- Insulate your hot water cylinder (saves £70 per year)
 Help with your health
You or your family may be entitled to benefits for those experiencing illness or disability. These include:
Help with NHS prescriptions and dental care
If you are on a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for some items. This includes:
- NHS prescription charges
- NHS dental treatment charges
- the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
- the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
- NHS wigs and fabric supports (check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs)
How much help you get depends on your weekly income and necessary outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply.
Talk to someone if you need help
You can also contact One Front Door, a service led by Citizens Advice Wokingham that helps residents find the most appropriate support.
This could be from us or across our local voluntary sector. Use the online referral form or call 0808 278 7958, Monday to Friday.
Cost of living community champions
We’re relaunching our community information champions newsletter from next week to help spread the word.
Each week you’ll be sent information to pass onto your communities, groups and to people you know so they can get the help they need on the cost of living.
If you want to help spread the word, join the list using the button below.
Cost of living help hub
If you’d prefer to see this support on our website, we’ve created a cost of living help hub. Different support includes:
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