Citizens Advice Telford & the Wrekin

Cost of Living Crisis Support

 

If you are worried about the rising cost of living, we want to assure you that you’re not alone. You should never feel ashamed about reaching out for help when you’re struggling.

Call us on 0808 278 7988 or see our list of resources below for help and guidance.

For emergency welfare assistance, click here.

For Telford & Wrekin Council's Cost of living support page, click here.

 

Food Banks

 

If you are in need of a food parcel, please contact Telford Crisis support on:

01952 586646

 

Increase your income

 

You might be able to increase your income by doing things like:

  • claiming benefits or government grants
  • checking you’re being paid the right wage
  • getting help from local organisations
  • renting out a room
  • getting child maintenance

For more guidance on income maximisation, click here.

 

Reducing your costs

 

If you’re struggling with money, there are steps you can take to save on your regular living costs.

You might be able to save money by:

Money Saving Expert has a cost of living help guide which you can find here. This guide can help you to find ways of stretching your money a little further.

 

Budgeting

 

Simply put, a budget is a plan for your money. If you’ve never created or maintained a budget before, it might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. In fact, the most successful budgets are simple. Citizens Advice budgeting tool can help you understand:

  • what you’re earning and spending
  • where you might be able to cut costs

 

Struggling to pay back money you owe?

 

You can contact our debt unit for advice if you are struggling with your debts.

Don’t ignore bills or letters about money you owe.

 

Borrowing Money

 

Some people find the need to borrow money at some stage to tide them over in an emergency.

Before you borrow money, it's important to make sure you will be able to keep up the repayments. Our handy tips for borrowing can help when you borrow money, take out a loan or use credit cards.

 

Help with Inflation

 

If you are concerned about inflation and how it might affect you, please see the UK inflation rate calculator from the BBC.

 

 

Emergency Welfare Assistance

 

Telford & Wrekin Council's Emergency Welfare Crisis Assistance scheme is designed to provide help to residents who have experienced some type of crisis, disaster or unexpected emergency and need assistance or support to keep them or their family safe and well, and cannot afford the assistance that they need.

Please click here to read about the emergency welfare support that is being provided by Telford & Wrekin Council.

Cooking

 

Thanks to some research, we can compare the average cost and energy use of various cooking appliances, and methods of cooking, to help you save money amidst the cost of living crisis.

The research below is based on the average amount of time each appliance is used for per day. The figures are based on the latest figures from Cornwall insight on 22nd August.

 

Microwave

  • Cost per day to run: 8p
  • Cost per week to run: 58p
  • Cost per month to run: £2.50
  • Cost per year to run: £30.02
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 58


Air fryer

  • Cost per day to run: 14p
  • Cost per week to run: £1.01
  • Cost per month to run: £4.40
  • Cost per year to run: £52.74
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 102


Slow cooker

  • Cost per day to run: 16p
  • Cost per week to run: £2.32
  • Cost per month to run: £10.07
  • Cost per year to run: £120.83
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 611


Electric cooker

  • Cost per day to run: 87p
  • Cost per week to run: £6.09
  • Cost per month to run: £26.38
  • Cost per year to run £316.54
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 609


Dual cooker (part electric, part gas)

  • Cost per day to run: 72p
  • Cost per week to run: £5.08
  • Cost per month to run: £22
  • Cost per year to run: £264.03
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 609


Gas cooker

  • Cost per day to run: 33p
  • Cost per week to run: £2.32
  • Cost per month to run: £10.17
  • Cost per year to run: £120.83
  • CO₂e emissions (equivalent miles driven in average car): 611

 

Other top tips

  • Batch-cooking food could save up to £158 a year, while using the right sized pan, with a lid, could cut costs by £72.
  • Letting water simmer rather than leaving it boiling can also save £68 annually, and not overfilling the kettle could leave you with an extra £19 over a 12-month period.
  • Kitchen Dishwasher always use the eco setting it uses 20% less water and energy

 

Energy Saving

 

Saving energy can help you to save money during the cost of living crisis. To find out how to save energy in the home, Uswitch have put a webpage together which offers 102 useful tips and tricks that you can use to save some money. Click here to be redirected.

A useful infographic from Bloomberg has been created to help you budget and see the areas where your energy usage will be the highest: 

 

 

 

Repairs

 

Telford Repair Café is a community organisation that offers free repairs on electronics, clothing, textiles, toys, and more. This community organisation hosts Repair Café events to not only assist people in need with free repairs that they might not be able to afford, but to also reduce waste and promote sustainable living, as believers in the Right to Repair.

 

To find out more, you can visit their website and their Facebook page

Retail and Utility Discounts

 

As the cost of living increases, groceries, utilities, leisure activities, etc. are becoming more expensive and often unaffordable for a lot of people. The government's own website has put together a list of discounts and offers from businesses such as Asda, Sainsbury's, Amazon, Primark, Various utility companies and more. To find out more, and see the full list of businesses, click the link below:

Help for households - Discounts & Offers

 

Warm Spaces

Warm spaces are free, warm, welcome community spaces where you are safe to visit for a hot drink and a chat amidst the cost of living crisis. There are many open across the country, with many opening in Telford and the Wrekin. For an up-to date list, please click here.