Support with Living Costs

Support is available, both from central government, County and District Councils and charities to help with the cost of living increases. 

Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024

For more information and to find out if you are eligible please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Council Tax Assistance Scheme

To find out if you are eligible for Council Tax assistance please visit https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/benefits/council-tax-assistance

Better Housing Better Health

(BHBH) is a free service run by the National Energy Foundation which is a charity working to help residents living in or at risk of living in fuel poverty to access free advice and support.

They offer a service that’s free of charge and open to all residents experiencing issues with their home energy. As part of their service, they have a helpline that is free to call where their team can give valuable tips on how to stay warm at home, provide free home energy visits, sign up those in need of additional support to the Priority Services Register and access grants for energy efficiency measures.

If you think this service would be of help to you, or someone you know please visit BHBH online at www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral/ or call their free helpline number 0800 107 0044

Norfolk Assistance Scheme

The Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) is a support model provided by Norfolk County Council that helps people in financial hardship and cannot pay their living costs.  NAS can provide emergency financial help, such as food vouchers, assistance with fuel or utilities, and assistance with rent arrears.  NAS can also supply essential household goods and furniture, along with providing support, guidance and advice about other support organisations that are available.

There are currently two offers of support through NAS at present, one for individuals of working age, and one for individuals aged 65 and over. 

Applications can be made online via www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS, working-age individuals without access to the internet can make an application over the telephone via 0344 800 8020, and people aged 65 and over with no access to the internet can call Your Norfolk Advice Line on 0333 996 8333 to make an application over the telephone.

Nourishing Norfolk 

Community supermarkets and community fridges offer a long-term solution. They offer a wide range of affordable groceries and enable people to choose the food they would like to buy so they can put together well-balanced, nutritious meals. Norfolk County Council is supporting Norfolk Community Foundation’s Nourishing Norfolk movement to develop 15 food hubs in Norfolk.
Find out more about how people can access foodbanks, community supermarkets and community fridges On Norfolk County Council’s website:
Help with food and drink

The Tricky Period and Toiletries to Go

All Norfolk Libraries have free bags of sanitary products and toiletries available to grab and go. They are freely available and there is no need to ask. More information about what is available is on Norfolk County Council’s website:
Tricky Period and Toiletries

Community Learning

Norfolk’s Adult Learning service is running:

  • Budgeting courses such as “beat the bills”. 
  • Cooking courses in conjunction with Community Supermarkets.
  • Family learning activities in school holidays.

Find out what’s available and book online.

Help with paying water bills

Norfolk County Council is working with Anglian Water to help older, vulnerable residents with their water debts. Anglian Water will be getting in touch with all those on the social tariff who are eligible for support. However, if you know someone of any age who is struggling to pay their water bills please they should contact Anglian Water directly.

Accessing Support

We appreciate that some people may find it difficult to access support.  Norfolk County Council have therefore created a web-based campaign to help people find the right support they need.  This covers information relating to money support, including NAS, help with benefits and money management, as well as food support, both for families eligible for free school meals.  This can be found via https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/campaigns/help-with-living-costs. Norfolk County Council also have in place a service in relation to Information, Advice and Advocacy Services, working in conjunction with charities and voluntary organisations. This service is broken down into three areas:

  1. Social welfare information, advice, and representation,
  2. Community advocacy, and
  3. Specialist support.

This service can be accessed via many different routes, including Adult Social Services, Norfolk Assistance Scheme, and the Norfolk Advice Service.