Money

New Crisis & Resilience Grant and Oil Heating Grant available

 How to access the Crisis and Resilience Grant and Oil Heating Support

The Department for Work and Pensions has released a new crisis grant to support those affected by cost of living pressures. The new Crisis & Resilience Fund replaces the Household Support Fund and can be accessed online via the Gloucestershire County Council Family Hub webpages. Crisis and Resilience Fund

Gloucestershire residents facing an immediate financial crisis, should apply online with the correct supporting evidence. GCC will assess each case and make payments directly to individuals who qualify.

In addition, the Department for Work and Pensions has released a specific fund for those who qualify and need help to pay for their oil heating. This will also be accessed via the Crisis & Resilience Fund on the GCC Family Hub webpages. Crisis and Resilience Fund

Support for Money Worries

The Stroud local Citizens Advice can support with money worries.

Stroud & Cotswold District Citizens Advice

 0808 800 0510

Telephone Helpline is open to incoming calls:

Monday – Tuesday 10am to 4pm

Wednesday – Thursday  10am to 12.30pm

Outgoing advice calls:

Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm

There are also national and other local charities to support with money concerns. 

• StepChange - www.stepchange.org
• National Debtline - www.nationaldebtline.org
• P3 - www.p3charity.org
• Clean Slate - www.cleanslateltd.co.uk

• GL Communities - www.glcommunities.org.uk

Council Tax Support

You may be eligible for council tax support through Stroud District Council if you receive certain benefits or are on low income. You can find out more on our website.

• Help for households

Food Parcels and Fuel Vouchers

Stroud Foodbank can support you with food parcels or fuel vouchers. Please ask us to refer you if you are in food or fuel emergency. 

Call us on 01453 766321 and dial 0 for Customer Services or email customer.services@stroud.gov.uk.

Pension Credits

If you’re over State Pension age, check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit provides extra money for living costs and access to other help. Around a third of eligible pensioners don’t claim Pension Credit – often because they don't know they can or that they need to. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you could get using the Pension Credit calculator. People of State Pension age may be entitled to Pension Credit even though they may have modest savings, or a retirement income or own their own home. An award of Pension Credit can provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, Council Tax, heating bills and, for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence.

• Pension Credit calculator - www.gov.uk
• Pension Credit - www.gov.uk

Check if you can claim a discretionary housing payment

If Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn't cover all your rent, check to see if you can make a claim for a discretionary housing payment. 

• Discretionary housing payment

Tenant Support Fund

If you are a Council tenant facing financial hardship, you may be entitled to financial assistance through our new discretionary Tenant Support Fund. This fund is available to all Council tenants including those in independent living, temporary accommodation and for the rental element of shared ownership. Payments are discretionary and by application. For further detail please contact your housing officer.

Check your eligibility for Carer's Allowance

If you are a carer, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance and/or an extra amount called the ‘carer element’ within Universal Credit. This could mean £69.70 a week in Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets the criteria.

• Carer's Allowance - www.gov.uk