Cost of living support in Rossendale
If you are struggling with household costs, bills, food, heating, debt or other essentials, there is support available.
This page brings together local and national services that may be able to help with money worries, energy bills, home warmth and other cost of living pressures.
If you are in immediate financial hardship and cannot afford essentials, you may be able to apply for support through Rossendale Borough Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Find local cost of living support near you
Use the map below to find local services and organisations that may be able to help with cost of living pressures.
The map includes support with:
- Food, bills and essential household costs
- Money worries, debt and benefits
- Housing, homelessness and family support
- Heating, energy and home repairs
- Community wellbeing and local support groups
- Getting online and using digital services
You can click on each map pin to find out what support is available, who the service is for, and how to contact the organisation.
The map is intended to help residents and organisations find local support more easily. Some services may have eligibility criteria, opening times or appointment requirements, so please check the information provided or contact the organisation before visiting.
Find more local services
Lancashire Service Finder
You can also search the Lancashire Service Finder to find other local and countywide services. This includes information about support with health and wellbeing, care, family support, money, housing, community groups and other services across Lancashire.
Website: Lancashire Service Finder - Directory | Lancashire Service Finder
Lancashire County Council Cost of Living Information Hub
Additionally, Lancashire County Council has more information about cost of living support, including help with household costs, health, wellbeing, food and family support.
Website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-of-living/
Benefits, money and debt advice
Make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. If you need help with benefits, debt, money worries or energy debt, Citizens Advice East Lancashire can provide free advice.
Citizens Advice East Lancashire
Citizens Advice East Lancashire can help you check whether you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. They can also provide advice if you are struggling with debt, money worries or energy debt, and can support you to negotiate with your energy supplier. In some cases, they may also be able to help with prepayment meter top up vouchers.
Phone: 0808 278 7975
Website: Citizens Advice Rossendale — Citizens Advice East Lancashire (cael.org.uk)
Worrying about money leaflet
More information on other sources of support can be found in the ‘Worrying about money - Support is available in Rossendale’ leaflet.
Struggling to pay your energy bills?
If you are falling behind with your gas or electricity bills, and finding yourself struggling to pay, the best thing to do is contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Under rules from the energy regulator Ofgem, your supplier has to help you if you are struggling to pay. They should look at what you can afford and discuss support based on your circumstances.
There is a range of options suppliers could offer if you are struggling, including:
- A full payment plan review
- Affordable debt repayment plans
- Payment breaks (though this won't be right for everyone)
- Reduced payments for a period of time
- More time to pay
- Access to hardship funds that only your supplier can provide
What help you can get is decided on a case-by-case basis, but importantly, repayment must be based on your ability to pay. So get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible.
If you are still struggling with debt, your supplier may suggest putting you on a prepayment meter. However, your supplier can only do this if it has explored all other options first, so you should always contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Affordable warmth support
There may be support available to help make your home warmer, reduce heat loss and lower your energy use.
Homewise delivers Affordable Warmth support on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council. They may be able to help older, disabled and vulnerable homeowners with practical support to repair, improve or adapt their homes.
Support may be available for Rossendale residents for things such as boiler servicing, repairs and replacement, heating systems and associated works, heating controls, replacement of unsafe heating appliances, and poor windows and doors.
Homewise may also be able to help residents access Rossendale Borough Council’s Emergency Works Grants for urgent works that present a risk to safety, such as roof work, poor electrical wiring or other serious hazards.
Phone: 01254 232249
Email: info@homewisesociety.org.uk
Website: Homewise - Helping older, disabled & vulnerable people in East Lancashire
Energy saving grants and advice
Cosy Homes in Lancashire can help residents check whether they may be eligible for free energy saving improvements or grants. This may include support for measures that help make your home more energy efficient and easier to heat.
Website: Free Energy Saving Grants | Cosy Homes in Lancashire (chil.uk.com)
You can also find general energy saving advice from: