If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, Act On Energy offers free and impartial advice to householders and small businesses.
Act On Energy can check whether you qualify for grant support and offer advice on how to cut your energy bills and keep your home warm.
You can call Act On Energy from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on the freephone advice line: 0800 988 2881.
You can also email the Act On Energy team at advice@actonenergy.org.uk
Visit the Act On Energy website
Severn Trent has increased its support for customers on low incomes struggling to pay water bills with the launch of a £30 million fund.
The Big Difference Scheme offers a discount of up to 90 per cent for any Severn Trent customer with a household income of below £18,278.
You can apply online and should your application be approved, you'll receive a new, personalised payment plan, which includes payments towards any debt on your account.
Severn Trent also has a number of other schemes to support customers struggling with water bills.
Visit the Severn Trent website for more information and to apply for the Big Difference Scheme
You may get cold weather payments if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you.
The payments do not affect your other benefits.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Find out more about Cold Weather payments
Pension Credit is payable to anyone of State Pension age (aged 66 years or older) who is on a low income. If you are eligible for Pension Credit you will also be eligible for a winter fuel payment.
The Warm Home discount scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.
You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
Find out more about Warm Home discounts
Vouchers towards utility bills are available for eligible households using pre-payment meters, paying by direct debit or on receipt of bill. Call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182 in confidence. For more information see www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localwelfarescheme.
Food parcels contain nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried foods which can be adapted to suit dietary needs, such as gluten intolerant or allergies.
Usually, the foodbank can also provide additional items for babies, such as nappies and baby food.
Rugby Foodbank operates a referral scheme, working with a wide range of care professionals who issue foodbank vouchers to people in need. Care professionals partnered with Rugby Foodbank include doctors, health visitors, social workers and Rugby Citizens Advice.
You can contact Rugby Foodbank by calling 07557 680019 or sending an email to info@rugby.foodbank.org.uk
Visit the Rugby Foodbank website
Low-income families receiving a qualifying benefit, such as Income Support or Universal Credit, can apply for free school meals for children during term-time.
Warwickshire County Council administers the free school meals scheme and you can check your eligibility - and apply - online.
Support includes help in securing a debt management plan, advice on managing mortgage or rent arrears, and guidance on budgeting.
If you have multiple debt issues, Rugby Citizens Advice also offers a specialised casework service.
You can call Rugby Citizens Advice from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on the freephone advice line: 0808 2505715.
You can also email adviser@brancab.org.uk or visit the Rugby Citizens Advice office at Chestnut House, 32 North Street, Rugby, CV21 2AG (entrance via North Street car park) during drop-in sessions, which take place from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.
Visit the Rugby Citizens Advice website
CAP's Rugby Debt Centre, run in partnership with Bilton Evangelical Church, can provide practical and emotional support to help you deal with debt.
You can call CAP's Rugby Debt Centre on 0800 3280006.
The credit union can offer loans from £200 to £5,000, with repayment periods from six months to three years.
You can visit Rugby Credit Union's office at 10-12 Albert Street, Rugby, CV21 2RS during opening hours: 10am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday. You can also call the union on (01788) 577900.
Visit the Rugby Credit Union website for more information.
Rugby JobCentre Plus offers support and advice on finding a job, and also help to claim the benfits you're entitled to, such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapicity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Income Support.
You can visit Rugby JobCentre Plus at Kingsforth House, Albert Street, Rugby, CV21 2TD during the following opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am to 5pm on Wednesdays.
You can call Rugby JobCentre Plus on 0845 6043719.
A number of job clubs in the borough can offer advice and support to help you find work.
Work Club at the Benn Partnership Centre - Work Club meets on Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm, and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 3pm, at the centre in Railway Terrace, Rugby, CV21 3HR.
Work Club can help you write a CV, gain professional qualifications and improve your digital skills. To make an appointment to register with Work Club, call (01788) 553033. Visit the Benn Partnership Centre website for more information.
Brownsover Buddy Club - run by Brownsover Community Association, the Buddy Club offers advice and support to help you find a job, and can also help you with issues which require internet access or computer skills.
Visit the Brownsover Community Association website for more information.
New Bilton Community Association Job Club - the association's Job Club offers drop-in sessions at the Quaker Meeting House, 28 Regent Place, Rugby, CV21 2PN from 1pm each Wednesday.
Christians Against Poverty Job Club - run in partnership with RCCG Harvest Fellowship. Email Stephen Hayden for more information: stephenhayden@capjobclubs.org
A number of telephone and broadband providers offer 'social tariffs' - often referred to as 'basic' or 'essential' packages - for customers who claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other benefits.
Ofcom publishes information on its website about the current social tariffs on offer, together with a step-by-step guide on how to switch provider if you want to move to a cheaper package.
Visit the Ofcom website for more information on social tariffs
The charity distributes furniture, soft furnishings, kitchenware, electrical appliances, gardening equipment and household items.
The trust checks and tests all items before distributing to residents in need. You can be referred to the trust by support services or contact the trust directly.
A small donation may be requested.
You can call Rugby Bareboards Trust, based at 36 Warren Road, Rugby, CV22 5LG, on (01788) 547358.
Whether you need help with debt or a financial emergency, support to apply for grants or expert advice on claiming compensation for an injury, the Royal British Legion can help.
You can find out more information and contact the Legion via its website.
Visit the Royal British Legion website
The charity offers advice on managing personal income, expenditure and debts, help with housing issues and can help you access vital domestic goods. SSAFA can also help with disability support, mental wellbeing and health care.
You can find out more information and contact SSAFA by visiting the charity's website.
The charity can help young people gain the skills needed to enter the world of work, offering training, career advice, practical support to apply for jobs and an apprenticeship programme.
Barnardo's also offers a wide range of support for young carers, young people affected by domestic abuse or alcohol and substance abuse, and young people experiencing mental ill health.
You can find out more information and contact Barnardo's through the charity's website.
Businesses struggling with rising costs can access support and advice including how to reduce energy costs and access funding.
In addition, the government has announced a new energy scheme for non-domestic customers. All eligible non-domestic customers will receive a discount on energy bills until the end of March 2024.
Warwickshire services are working together to help people find the information they need to manage increased household costs. This is a difficult time for many people and finding direct support can be hard. National and local links to services are listed on their page as well as information on related topics.