Ceredigion Cost of Living E- Bulletin
Income Maximisation
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. Use the Pension Credit calculator to work out how much you might get.
Step change offer free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation. They'll then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
At HOPE4U we believe everyone deserves a chance in life which is why our purpose and aim is to eradicate poverty, improve financial sustainability; whilst creating opportunities for people to build a brighter future. HOPE4U can support with utilities, money management, energy efficiency and unemployment.
RABI is committed to address the individual needs of farming people. We offer one-to-one, expert support, advice and guidance, tailored to every unique circumstance. We give expert advice on benefits potentially available to farming people.
Our 24/7 freephone helpline 0800 188 4444 ensures we are available at any time of the day or year to give farming people the right type of support.
Grants of £200 per child are available for school children aged 4–16, providing vital assistance to ease the financial burden and ensure every child has what they need to succeed. Apply from Monday 8 July and let RABI support your family.
Entitlement Calculator
Ceredigion County Council’s Benefits Calculator will instantly estimate your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction entitlement based on your circumstances. It will only take a few minutes to complete and will inform you whether you are likely to qualify before you complete our Application Form.
Turn2us & Turn2us PIP Helper
Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity.
Designed alongside people who have claimed PIP, the Turn2us PIP Helper is an accessible online information tool that people with disabilities or long-term physical or mental health conditions can use to confidently start their PIP claim.
The Turn2us PIP Helper offers information for each stage of the PIP application process, checks on what PIP award you're likely to get, provides personalised tips on filling out the application form and can find extra help based on your PIP award.
Discretionary assistance fund (DAF)
In certain circumstances you may be eligible for an Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) or Individual Assistance Payment (IAP). Find out if you could receive a grant from the Welsh Governments Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).
Extend your Child Benefit claim for your teen today
It’s time for parents across the UK to extend their Child Benefit claim if their 16-19-year-old is staying in full-time non-advanced education or approved training. We know how important Child Benefit can be to families, so let HMRC know by 31 August if your teen intends to stay in approved education or training.
Child Trust Fund
If your child was born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, they may have a surprise windfall waiting for them!
Child Trust Funds (CTF) are long-term, tax-free saving accounts – worth an average of £2,000. If you didn’t open the account, HMRC may have opened one on behalf of your child.
If your teen is 16 or 17, they can take over responsibility for their CTF account. Once your child is 18, they can access and withdraw the money from their account.
If you don’t have details of their CTF account to share with them, they can ask HMRC who their CTF provider is by completing an online form. They’ll need your National Insurance number for this, which they can easily find in the HMRC app.
Nest is here to help with free, impartial advice you can trust. Nest can provide you with energy efficiency advice and if you are eligible, offer support to install energy efficiency improvements in your home. Get more information about the support and energy saving advice Nest can provide from their website.
Period Dignity in Ceredigion Communities
Here is a directory of community groups, organisations and other settings that stock free period products for those who need them. A range of products are available at each location including eco-friendly, plastic free or reusable options. Take what you need, no questions asked.
If you are a community group or organisation, who wish to offer free period products to people within your local community, please contact perioddignity@ceredigion.gov.uk.
Scam Awareness
Be aware of scams, including digital, on your doorstep, by phone and post. Visit our Scams page for further information.
Marriage Allowance
Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. This reduces their tax by up to £252 in the tax year (6 April to 5 April the next year). Visit the ‘Marriage Allowance’ page on UK Government website for more information.
Stop Loan Sharks Wales
It is a shocking fact that over one million adults in the UK have borrowed money from a loan shark and are suffering as a result. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, more people may be forced into debt and will turn to or consider borrowing money from illegal lenders or loan sharks.
Stop Loan Sharks Wales is operated by the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit. Since 2008, they’ve supported hundreds of people who have suffered as a result of this crime, and written off hundreds of millions of pounds in illegal debt. Visit the Stop Loan Sharks Wales website to see how they can help.
Funding for Advice Services
If you are a group supporting people to maximise their income, you could apply for a grant from the Welsh Government Single Advice Fund
The Single Advice Fund aims to help meet the ongoing increase in demand for access to social welfare advice services.
Connect Ceredigion
Connecting communities, people and groups, and sharing events across Ceredigion.
Most drop-in advice sessions across Ceredigion that can support you to maximise your income are listed under the events calendar on Connect Ceredigion.
Childcare Support
Looking for Childcare?
Please visit our website for information on help with choosing and finding childcare: Childcare and Play - Ceredigion County Council or visit the Family Information Services Child Care Information Wales. Holiday Clubs are listed here. Childminders may also offer some spaces in some areas.
Help with Childcare Costs
Most families are entitled to some financial help towards the cost of childcare. To compare the different choices and find out if you are eligible for support with Childcare costs visit Childcare Choices. Remember to choose Wales as support is different to the England childcare support.
Childcare Offer
During the school holidays, eligible children can receive up to 30 hours a week of funded childcare, for up to nine holiday weeks per annum. This is booked through your online Childcare Offer account. For more information, visit https://www.gov.wales/parents-manage-agreements-childcare-offer-wales.
Head to the County Council’s website for information on Cost-of-living support :
The next bulletin will come out on 30th of August 2024.
The theme will be ‘Support for younger people – financial education’.
If you have information that you would like us to include please send it to Clic at clic@ceredigion.gov.uk or call 01545 570881
