Paying for food, energy and water
Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme
The discretionary scheme provides emergency support towards food, energy or other essentials, as vouchers, food parcels from local/community food banks or with credit for energy.
To apply for support, call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.30pm on Friday.
This runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Download their leaflet for more information.
Act on Energy
Act on Energy can help with financial support toward current energy debts and assistance to repair or replace broken boilers and heating systems.
Act on Energy has a freephone advice line and Community Outreach Officers who offer home visits and can install various small energy-saving measures. They can also assist with applications for energy efficiency grants to help keep your home warmer and reduce your bills. A benefit and financial welfare check can also help those struggling with the cost of living. You can call the Advice Team at 08009882881 or visit the Act On Energy website for more information.
Rugby Foodbank
Rugby Foodbank provides three day emergency food parcels for residents struggling to put food on the table.
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.
Free school meals
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.
Visit the Warwickshire County Council website.
Severn Trent
Visit the Severn Trent website for information on helping you pay your water bill.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
This 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.
Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you do not get the letter by early January 2025 and you think you’re eligible. You must contact them before 28 February 2025.
Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline: 0800 030 9322 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Visit the Warm Home Discount web page for more information
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have reached State Pension age and have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It is not means-tested - what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
To find more information, see if you are eligible and to apply, visit the Attendance Allowance web page
Carer's Allowance
You could get £81.90 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that both you and the person you care for get.
To find more information, see if you’re eligible and to make a claim, visit the Carer's Allowance web page for more information
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as Housing Benefit and Winter Fuel Payment.
To find more information, see if you’re eligible and to make a claim, visit the Pension Credit web page for more information or call Pension Credit claim line: 0800 99 1234
Rugby Borough Council Discretionary Awards
The council has a limited amount of money to provide extra help to pay your rent or council tax, for a limited time (usually up to three months). The awards are intended to help you adjust to a change in your circumstances or to meet a short-term issue.
To be eligible for Discretionary Housing Payment, you must be entitled to either housing benefit or Universal Credit with a housing costs element.
To be eligible for Discretionary Council Tax Payment, you must be named on the council tax bill at your address and be in severe financial hardship. You must also have a shortfall in your rent or council tax payments.
To find more information and learn how you can apply visit our Discretionary Awards web page for more information