Cost of living crisis in Rossendale
Benefits and Debt Advice
Make sure you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to, and get help with debt issues, contact Citizen’s Advice on 0300 456 2552
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 fuel bills
If you are struggling to pay your fuel bills, always contact your supplier to make them aware of your situation.
There are a range of options suppliers could offer if you're struggling, including:
• A full payment plan review
• Affordable debt repayment plans
• Payment breaks (though this won't be right for everyone)
• Payment reductions
• More time to pay
• Access to hardship funds which only your supplier can access
Emergency help with food and fuel
Citizen’s Advice now have a direct line for anyone living in the Rossendale who needs emergency support with their fuel supply, a referral for a food parcel or information regarding emergency food provision.
The telephone number for the Food and Fuel Line is: 01706 941877
The line will be a voicemail service with messages picked up at regular intervals throughout the day. This is a self-referral line and clients can phone themselves if they are able.
Monday to Friday. Callers requesting emergency fuel or food help will receive a call back as soon as possible, however;
Messages received between 3pm & 4pm should receive a call back the same day but we may not be able to submit a referral the same day.
Messages received after 4pm will not receive a call back until the next working day. Only calls relating to requests for support with Food and Fuel will be returned.
Citizens Advice is able to access Fuel Vouchers for clients using pre-payment meters and is also able to access support for off-grid clients if the household:
• relies on coal, wood, heating oil or LPG as the primary source of heat
• is off the gas grid and doesn’t use electricity as the primary source of heating and is either: living without heat because they are unable to afford to purchase fuel to top up their bunker, store, tank or bottles or imminently in risk of living without heat because they are unable to afford to purchase bulk fuel.
Struggling to keep your home warm?
Funding may be available for Rossendale residents through the Affordable Warmth Fund (until 31st March 2023) for:
Servicing, repairs and replacement boilers and heating systems and associated works, including controls and replacement of unsafe heating appliances
• Repairs to and new radiators and radiator reflectors
• Gas fire services and repairs
• Draught proofing measures – windows, doors, loft hatches, electrical fittings on walls and ceilings, suspended floorboards, pipework leading outside, ceiling-to-wall joints.
• Appropriate Ventilation measures
• Standard loft and cavity wall insulation
• Emergency heating and dehumidifiers measures e.g. portable heaters for use whilst heating systems are repaired
• Additional and targeted work with landlords to improve properties,
• Temperature and relative humidity monitors/ Carbon
Households will be eligible for funding if they meet at least one of the following vulnerabilities and have a low income, defined as follows.
Vulnerabilities:
• People with a diagnosed cardiovascular conditions
• People with a diagnosed respiratory conditions (in particular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and childhood asthma)
• People with diagnosed mental health conditions
• People with diagnosed disabilities
• Older people (65 and older)
• Households with young children (up to the age of 5)
• Pregnant women
• People who are terminally ill
• People with suppressed immune systems (e.g. from cancer treatment or HIV)
• People who have attended hospital due to a fall
Low income can be confirmed in one of the following three ways:
• Someone being in receipt of means tested benefits
• Have a total household income not in excess of £31,000
• A 'declaration' by the Local Authority or health / social care professional that affordability issues are present.
This fund is being managed on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council by the Homewise Society.
For more information and support contact the Homewise Society at info@homewisesociety.org.uk
Rossendale Household Support Fund
Applications to the Household Support Fund have closed. We expect to open a new round in early May 2023. Please check back to find out about eligibility criteria then
This fund is being provided by the Department for Work and Pensions
Lancashire County Council Cost of Living Information Hub
More information about help with cost of living crisis can be found at:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-of-living/