Cost of Living Crisis Resource list

Our cost-of-living crisis first advice kit provides resources to help people who are struggling. The page will be updated regularly, so please check back occasionally.

School Costs Affordable shopping Meters and meter reading

Help with food

• The BANES food finder can help you find your local Foodbanks and pantries  
• Affordable options at Bath City Farm Cafe
• Free school meals with Pupil Premium
• Affordable veg from Southside Food Co-op

Help with bills

• If you’re struggling with your council tax bill you may be eligible for council tax support
• Help from St John’s Foundation to buy household items 
• Change to apply for a discretionary housing payment to pay for rent
• Get a prescription prepayment certificate
• Check your property is in the right council tax band
• Warm Spaces Directory

BANES Council support Schemes

• We can help you check your benefits 
• BANES Welfare support scheme 

How can I increase my income?

• Cinnamon offers free care for dogs for older people and those who are terminally ill
• Better returns on savings for people on low incomes
• Grants for vulnerable children
• Find lost or dormant bank and savings accounts
• Money helper can help find lost pensions
• Check if you have an exemption to paying NHS costs.
• Check if you can increase your income using our advice page

Affordable shopping

• 2nd hand goods and furniture from: Baby Bank Network, Small Stuff Baby Bank, The Nest project, Genesis Trust Furniture Shop, Kennet Refurb – Devizes, Freegle, Freecycle
• Timpson’s are offering free dry-cleaning for job interviews
• Borrow, exchange and repair service through Time Bank Plus, Bath Share & Repair
• Check monthly supermarket price comparisons
• Petrol Prices can help you find the cheapest petrol in the area
• Free coats from Bath City Farm for those in need

School costs

• Referrals are now open for the School Kit Project who can help with the cost of school uniforms
• The Bath and North-East Somerset council can help with free school meals as well as helping with food costs during the holidays

Support for people of pension age

• Use the government website to help find out if you are getting all the support you’re entitled to
• People of pension age may be able to get a discount on their water bills, go to the Wessex water page for more information
• The government website can help you check your State Pension age

Energy supply

• Check if you’re responsible for paying an energy bill using our help page
• Find out who your gas or electricity supplier is
• If you’re worried about your energy tariff we have a page giving advice
• Switching energy supplier can be tricky but Citizens Advice has a page that may help

Heating your home

• The Centre for sustainable energy has news and tips about energy
• Simple Energy Advice
• Control your home can help to reduce energy usage

Energy bills

• Have you received the energy support your entitled to 
• Grants to clear energy debts 
• If you think your energy bill is too high 
• If your energy supplier has increased your direct debits
• What to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills
• You can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter 
• Stop your energy supplier from moving you to prepayment 
• If you’ve been told your energy supply will be disconnected 
• We have an Energy Advice booklet written by our experts
• Energy Networks can help you find out who your network provider is
• Getting support from your energy supplier 
• Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

Energy efficiency

• Use the government website to find your energy certificate 
• Make sure your home is energy efficient with our guide
• Simple Energy Advice

Meters and meter readings

• Problems getting to or topping up your prepayment meter
• How to read your gas or electricity meter 
• Check your smart meter’s working in smart mode

Check out our advice page for more information on each topic.