All the ways you can get help with the cost of living

Over the last few months, Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced a number of schemes and grants aimed at supporting Bedford Borough residents through the cost of living crisis. Some of the actions taken include helping to create a network of Warm Spaces, providing grants to a number of charities and organisations, as well as continuing to offer 100% Council Tax support to the most vulnerable residents. The key schemes are outlined below:

100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Residents on the lowest household incomes do not pay any Council Tax because Bedford Borough Council is one of very few local authorities that offers 100% Council Tax Support. Compared to a more common 75% support scheme, Bedford Borough residents on the lowest incomes in a typical Band B or C property receive around £400 of extra support per year. Find out if you are eligible for up to 100% support by visiting https://www.bedford.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support/apply-housing-benefit-and-council-tax.

Warm Spaces

Bedford Borough Council is developing a Warm Spaces network. Warm Spaces offer free spaces where people can go to stay warm, enjoy the company of others, have a hot drink, play some games or read a book. The network currently has around 30 community buildings and places of worship from across the Borough offering Warm Spaces, as well as the Borough's libraries and The Higgins Bedford. Find out more about the Warm Spaces Network by visiting https://www.bedford.gov.uk/warm-spaces.

Household Support Grants

The Council has offered further support to vulnerable residents through the Household Support Fund. This winter over 4,000 households have been supported with an £85 payment to those receiving 100% Council Tax Support or £50 to those receiving lower amounts of Council Tax Support.

Free School Meals

The Council offers Free School Meals to children attending a school within the Borough who live in a household that receives one of the benefits listed at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals. The Council also extends this provision over the school holidays so that children receive a healthy meal even when not at school.

Free advice and support

The Council is working with a number of partners to make sure residents have access to advice and support with their energy bills, debt and benefit eligibility. Recently Mayor Dave announced new grants to Citizen's Advice Bedford, to fund an energy and debt advisor for two years; to Age UK Bedfordshire, to support their Get Set for Winter Campaign; and to Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, to fund a community agent post. You can find more information on their websites or by visiting https://www.bedford.gov.uk/costofliving.

Foodbank

Mayor Dave recently announced a grant to support Bedford Foodbank as more residents find themselves struggling to afford to feed their households. The funding means that the Foodbank can provide more food packages and add another member of staff to help with the greater demand for the service. To find out more visit https://bedford.foodbank.org.uk.

Warm Homes

This service has been set up through a partnership with the Council and NHS to support residents with health conditions that are negatively impacted by living in a cold or damp home. Eligible residents will have automatically received a letter asking them to contact Better Housing Better Health, who will then provide energy advice and energy saving solutions.

Sustainable Warmth

This scheme offers funding to residents, who are at a high risk of being poorly impacted by rising energy bills, for energy efficient upgrades to their homes. You can find out more by visiting https://www.bedford.gov.uk/sustainablewarmth.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "Our residents are already struggling with the cost of living crisis. It is important, as it gets colder, that we have the schemes in places to offer support in a number of different ways. If you are struggling to cope, there is help available in Bedford Borough and you can find out more at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/costofliving."