Household costs and bills

The cost of living will affect everyone differently.

Depending on your circumstances there is financial support available:
 

Important:

• Payments will usually be made automatically and you will never be contacted for your bank details.
• If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about any of these payment, this might be a scam. 
• For more information on how to report a scam click here.

 

Council Tax rebates 

If you live a house with a council tax band A – D you should have already received a payment of £150.  If you pay by direct debit this will have been paid automatically. If you haven’t received this payment please go to Northumberland council tax energy rebate.
 

Energy bills discount

This October everyone will get £400 off energy bills. If you pay by direct debit your energy supplier will automatically take off approximately £60 a month over the next 6 months. Those on pre-payment meters will receive a cheque or voucher. Your energy provider may contact you directly.
 

Cost of Living Benefit Payments

If you're receiving benefits you will have already received £326 in July and a second payment of £324. There will be a third payment in spring 2023 of £301.
 

Disability Cost of Living Payment

If you qualify for a disability benefit you will have already received a Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 during September to November 2022. An additional payment of £150 will be issued during summer 2023.
 

Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.

Full details of all of these discounts and payments can be found at Gov Guidance on the cost of living payments.

This BBC journalist explains in a minute what's available.



26 August 2022
 

Timeline cost of living payments

This autumn and winter cost of living payments will be made automatically if you are eligible. 

Click here for gov.uk guidance on cost of living payments.

Here is a list of support payments in order of when they come out:

• September - £150 Disability Cost of Living payments start to be issued
• October - £400 Reduction in energy bills - automatically deducted by your energy supplier 
• October - £2500 New 'Energy Price Guarantee' initiated
• October £324 The second payment of Cost of Living benefit payments to be paid. Those eligible will receive payments automatically
• October/November - £300 Pensioner Cost of Living payment will be automatically paid to those eligible
• November - £150 Warm home discount for those eligible 
• November - £25 An additional £25 per week paid to those eligible as cold weather payments

 

Get in touch

You can contact the Northumberland Community Together response hub if you are unsure about any information and want to talk to a friendly person.

Phone the community response hub on 01670 620015 from 9am to 6pm 7 days a week or email NCT@northumberland.gov.uk.

You can get benefits and other financial support if you’re eligible.

If you’re caring for someone, are disabled or have a health condition, if you're looking for work or on a low income or temporarily unable to work you may be able to claim.

If you would like to make sure you're getting the right benefits try our benefits calculator and budgeting tool or speak to Northumberland Communities Together on 01670 620015 - 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week.

Click here for more information about cost of living payments.

If you are worried about an elderly or vulnerable person, or a neighbour and they don’t have family or friends nearby we can connect and support.

Please contact Northumberland Communities Together on 01670 620015 from 9am to 6pm 7 days a week or email NCT@northumberland.gov.uk.
 

Onecall

Onecall is one number for all adult social care, children’s services and community health enquiries in Northumberland, helping the most vulnerable people to keep safe and well 24-7.

If you are worried about the immediate welfare (health or well-being) of an elderly or vulnerable person contact Onecall - 01670 536400 - 24 hour service, 365 days a year.