Cost of Living Support
This page has been created to be a hub for all the support you can access locally to help you through this difficult period as the cost of living continues to rise. This page will be regularly updated, so if you know of any support that we’ve not listed that you think will be useful, please do get in touch and we will get it added. If someone you know could use any of the support listed, please pass this page on to them.
As always, our inbox is open, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch any time.
Food
Droitwich Spa Foodbank
Website | 07532 130604 | Facebook | Twitter
The foodbank works with local agencies who, if they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, will issue you with a foodbank voucher. This can be exchanged for a minimum of 3 days of emergency food.
To find out more about the agencies that hold the foodbank’s vouchers and how you can get help, please contact them at the web address above.
Droitwich Community Pantry & Fridge
Website | 07546 553835 | Facebook
The Pantry rescues good quality food from supermarket, distribution centres and manufacturers, this food is then turned into food parcels for the pantry. The pantry is open to everyone and is not worked on a referral system.
Open every Wednesday on a time slot basis, with these slots available to book via their Facebook page every Sunday evening at 6pm.
Caring Hands in the Vale
Website | 07749 377473 | Facebook
Caring Hands in the Vale supplies emergency food parcels and other essential items for those who desperately need them. We do not undertake any assessments ourselves and operate on referral from a network of community-based organisations. If you feel you are entitled to help you need to have a referral.
Please note you will not be able to receive a food parcel without a referral slip. Food parcels can ONLY be collected between 12 noon and 2pm (Mondays to Thursdays) and 3:30 to 5:30pm on Fridays, except by special arrangement.
Energy
All households will receive a rebate of £400 to reduce energy bills and will be applied over a 6 month period from October to March. This will automatically be applied by your energy provider.
Households in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 in November and December.
Two payments totalling £650 will be made to those who receive the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
The first of these payments will have been made in July. In addition to this, some people on disability benefits will receive an additional £150 from the 20th September.
In addition to this the Government will be limiting the price that suppliers can charge for each unit of energy. For a typical household, this means that an annual bill will not rise above £2,500 from October. This guarantee will last for two years.
If you are renting it has been confirmed that landlords will, through legislation, have to pass on the £400 rebate to tenants with all-inclusive bills.
There will also be support for business owners with plans for wholesale gas and electricity prices for firms to be fixed for 6 months from 1st October. Hospitals, schools and charities will also get help.
Water – Severn Trent
Severn Trent have a range of financial support schemes available to help you to pay your bill. They know people are feeling the squeeze right now, and want your water bill to be one less thing for you to worry about.
If you need a helping hand, their financial support schemes can offer you the support you need to get back on track. You’re not alone. They are currently helping more than 215,000 customers a year with their financial support schemes.
The Big Difference Scheme
The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £18,278. Households with child dependants may be eligible for an additional income allowance in excess of this amount.
The Support you Could Get
- You could get up to 90% off the average Severn Trent bill.
- The Big Difference Scheme will assess your household income when you apply.
- That assessment determines how big a reduction you’re able to get.
If your application is successful, you’ll get a new payment plan. The Big Difference Scheme design a payment plan especially for you. Your new plan will include payments towards any debt on your account.
The scheme runs for 12 months at a time. You’ll have to apply again at the end of each year-long period.
Bill Cap Scheme – WaterSure
The Bill Cap Scheme – WaterSure runs for 12 months. To get help through WaterSure you must be a Severn Trent customer, have a water meter and receive eligible benefits.
You must also have either:
a) three or more children under 19 living with you, or
b) a medical condition requiring the extra use of water
Financial Hardship Fund – The Severn Trent Trust Fund
The Severn Trent Trust Fund was set up in 1997. It’s an independent charity that we donate money to every year. The Trust Fund is a registered charity that provides help to customers who are unable to pay their bill.
The fund can help with:
- water and sewerage charges if you are in hardship and unable to pay
- charges which collected other companies on behalf of Severn Trent
- other essential bills, household needs or priority debts
To get help from the fund, you must:
- have valid Severn Trent account number
- be in debt on your account, with no way to pay it back
- have experienced exceptional circumstances that stop you paying your bill
Debt Support – Matching Plus
Severn Trent will make payments to help you pay off what you owe on your account.
To get help through Debt Support (Matching Plus), you must have:
- paid no more than £60 towards your account balance in the last 12 months
- arrears on your account for at least 2 years
How Matching Plus Works
- We’ll pay £20 a month to help you reduce your account balance.
- You must make a monthly payment of at least £20 for us to contribute.
- If you make a payment of £20, we’ll match that with another payment of £20.
- If you pay more than £20, we’ll still contribute with a payment of £20.
- If you pay less than £20, we won’t make a payment.
Learn More | Join by Messaging on WhatsApp or Calling 0800 917 6901
Water Direct
Water Direct can help you pay your water bill direct from your benefits. Payments are automatic, making it easier for you to pay and budget.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deduct an amount from your benefits payment. That is then credited to your Severn Trent account.
You can apply for Water Direct if you or anyone you live with gets any of the following State benefits:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
You must also owe at least £50 on your Severn Trent account.
Working-Age, Disability & DWP Benefits
Following the Autumn Statement from the Chancellor, here are the details of the benefits that are being uprated from April 2023 which have been compiled by Martin Lewis.
Working Tax Credit
- Basic Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- Couple & Lone Parent Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- 30-Hour Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- Disabled Worker Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- Severe Disability Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- Childcare Element of the Working Tax Credit – Not Uprated, Frozen since 2005/06
Child Tax Credit
- Family Element – Not Uprated: £545 since introduction of current tax credit system in 2003
- Child Element – Uprated by 10.1%
- Disabled Child Rate – Uprated by 10.1%
- Severely Disabled Child Rate – Uprated by 10.1%
Income Thresholds & Withdrawal Rates
- Income Threshold – Uprated by 10.1%
- Withdrawal Rate (Per Cent) – Not Uprated by Convention
- Threshold for Those Entitled to Child Tax Credit Only – Uprated by 10.1%
- Income Rise Disregard – Not Uprated
- Income Fall Disregard – Not Uprated
Child Benefit
- Uprated by 10.1%
Guardian’s Allowance
- Uprated by 10.1%
Universal Credit
- Standard Allowance – Uprated by 10.1%
- Limited Capability for Work Amount – Uprated by 10.1%
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity – Uprated by 10.1%
- Child Amount – Uprated by 10.1%
- Disabled Child Addition – Uprated by 10.1%
- Carer Amount – Uprated by 10.1%
- Childcare Costs Amount – Not uprated. Never uprated (aligns with childcare element of Working Tax Credits)
- Work Allowances – Uprated by 10.1%
- Attendance Allowance – Uprated by 10.1%
- Personal Independence Payment & Disability Living Allowance – Uprated by 10.1%
- Carer’s Allowance – Uprated by 10.1%
- Carer Premium (in Means-Tested Legacy Benefits) – Uprated by 10.1%
- Severe Disablement Allowance – Uprated by 10.1%
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit – Uprated by 10.1%
- ESA, Income Support, JSA – Uprated by 10.1%
Warm Spaces
Below are a list of ‘warm spaces’ in Droitwich that has been compiled by Droitwich CVS. Where possible these activities will be free or very low cost. Any donation to Droitwich CVS would be welcome to help cover expenses. We hope to be able to add further locations across Mid Worcestershire in due course.
St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall
St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall, 208 Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 8AZ
Sunday
Cuppa, Cake & Chat – 2nd Sunday of the month, 14:30 – 16:30pm
Monday
Community Meal – 12th December, 12:30 – 14:00pm. For 2023 dates call 01905 773258
Westmead Day Centre
Westmead Day Centre, Westmead Close, Droitwich, WR9 9LG
Monday
Monday Club – Weekly starting from 28th November, 10:00am – 12:00pm
St. Andrew’s Parish Centre
St. Andrew’s Parish Centre, St. Andrew’s Street, Droitwich, WR9 8DY
Tuesday
‘Souper’ Tuesdays – Offering soup and hot drinks weekly, 12:00 – 15:00pm
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Community Church, Ombersley Way, Droitwich, WR9 0AB
Wednesday
Friendship Group – Weekly, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Westlands Community Centre
Westlands Community Centre, Meadow Walk, Droitwich, WR9 9BF
Wednesday
Soup & Social – Weekly (term-time only), 12:30 – 14:00pm
Droitwich Methodist Church
Droitwich Methodist Church, Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 8AN
Wednesday
Coffee Morning & Soup – Weekly, 10:00am – 14:30pm
Craft, Games & Chat – 4th Wednesday of the month, 14:00 – 16:00pm
Thursday
Baby & Toddler Group Sessions – Weekly term-time, 10:00 – 11:30am and 13:00 – 14:30pm, plus 11:30am – 13:00pm open to bring your own lunch
Emmanuel Church
Emmanuel Church, 8 Blake Avenue, Droitwich, WR9 8PQ
Thursday
Drop-In Coffee & Soup – Weekly, 10:00am – 14:00pm
Droitwich Library
Droitwich Library, Victoria Square, Droitwich, WR9 8DQ
Friday
Mr Corbett’s Coffee Stop – Weekly, 10:30 – 11:30am
Stay & Play – Weekly, 10:00 – 11:00am
Monday – Saturday
Offering a welcoming and warm space to work, study, read & research, or just meet with regular friends. In addition to regular opening hours, the Libraries Unlocked service provides extended opening hours Mon-Sat, 8:00am – 20:00pm. Visit the library to become a member, or upgrade existing membership to access this service.
Other Support
Turn2Us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.
Step Change
Website | 0800 138 1111
Step Change provide the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. Helping people with debt problems take back control of their finances and their lives.
National Debtline
Website | 0800 808 4000
National Debtline is a debt advice charity run by the Money Advice Trust. They are a free and confidential debt advice service for people in England, Wales and Scotland, helping millions of people deal with their debts.
Citizens Advice
Website | 0800 144 8848
Citizens Advice give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. Their national charity and network of local charities offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Below are the days and times you can visit in person:
Droitwich Library; 10am – 2pm, Tuesday and Friday
South Worcestershire (Wychavon) Citizens Advice, 13 Port Street, Evesham; 10am – 1pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
Worcester CAB and WHABAC (Hopmarket); 9am – 5pm, Monday to Thursday (Mondays and Wednesday, pre-booked appointments only)
MIND
Website | 0300 123 3393
MIND provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Money Advice Service
Their network brings together some of the country’s best known debt advice providers so you can access free, confidential and independent debt advice straight away.
You won’t need to pay for the advice you receive, and speaking to them won’t affect your credit rating.
Here2Help
Here2Help is a service that offers support for people of all ages and is available for both residents and organisations to access information, advice, tools, guidance and local support available to them or others in the local community based on their needs.
Onside Advocacy
Website | 01905 27525
Onside is a charity established in 1993, stemming from a belief that everyone has the right to be a valued human being and to be treated in a just and fair manner.
They currently work across Worcestershire & Herefordshire, providing a wide range of support services to ensure fairness and equality for all members of our community who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Homelessness Handbook
If you are in Evesham or the surrounding area and you are homeless, face the risk of being homeless or are worried about being made homeless, then you may find this information handbook useful.
This guide, developed by Caring Hands in the Vale, provides an overview of the range of potential provision available in and around Evesham to meet the accommodation or other support needs of those who are homeless, struggling financially or who are likely to become homeless.
You will find information on who to talk to about trying to find accommodation, health issues involved with homelessness and other more general support available.