Information and Advice
Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts
Providing support and practical guidance to struggling residents on tackling cost of living and debt problems. This includes face-to-face debt advice.
The local centre is at Castledine House, Heanor Road, Ilkeston DE7 8DY. Outreach appointment sessions are in most GP surgeries and Children’s Centres across Erewash. CADD hotline: 0808 278 7954.
Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts
Worrying About Money
The Independent Food Aid Network has supported partners within Erewash Financial Inclusion Group to develop a ‘Worrying About Money?’ Cash First leaflet for each area.
‘Worrying About Money?' Cash First referral leaflets are co-designed as straightforward resources both for people facing money worries and support workers. The step-by-step guides identify which local support services are best placed to help people maximise income and access any existing financial entitlements.
The leaflets are available online and as PDF documents.
Derbyshire Community Bank
Derbyshire Community Bank is developing a referral system to consider payments to residents. It also offers free debt guidance including via the Money Advice Service.
Call: 01332 348144
Email info@dcbank.org.uk
Debt Advice
The Money Advice and Pensions Service (MAPS) is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and offers free independent debt advice. Referrals for debt advice can be made by the council. Call: 0115 907 2244. Further information on debt advice can be found on the debt advice page.
Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF)
The Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF) can provide grants or emergency cash payments if you are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster, or need help to settle or remain in your home. The scheme is administered by Derbyshire County Council.
Food Banks
Warm and Welcoming Spaces
Find a warm and welcoming space, and find out about grants offered by Derbyshire County Council to open a warm and welcoming space.
Find a warm welcome space near you
Help with energy bills
The Winter Fuel Payment is worth £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. Households with someone aged 66-79 will receive £200.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958, you must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following benefits between 16 and 22 September: Pension Credit; Universal Credit; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA); Income Support.
Find out if you're eligible for winter fuel payments
The regulations to means-test Winter Fuel Payments will be laid on the 22 August 2024. The qualifying week in 2024 for Winter Fuel Payments will be from 16 to 22 September.
The Severn Trent Big Difference Scheme : The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £20,048.08.
British Gas Energy Trust. NOT exclusive to its customers. If you are facing bills you can’t afford and struggling with the rising cost of energy The British Gas Energy Trust can help. They are an independent charitable trust set up to support families and individuals facing financial hardship and energy debt across England, Wales and Scotland.
What benefits can I get?
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 partner organisations.
You can also use the benefits calculator on Turn2us to find out what you may be entitled to.
Pension Credit
Pensioners with a weekly income below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they are eligible for Pension Credit. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension, you can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Applications for Pension Credit can be made:
- On the How to claim page of the gov.uk website
- Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)
- By printing out and filling in a paper application form, this can be located on the How to claim page.
For more information visit the Pension Credit GOV.UK page
Help with your council tax
Council Tax Support is not always enough for you to be able to pay your Council Tax bill. If you have unusual or extreme circumstances which are causing hardship we may be able to help through the Council Tax Discretionary Fund. Find out more on the Council tax support page.
Get help with the cost of energy efficiency
You might be able to get help with the cost of making your home more energy efficient if you either: own your home; rent from a private landlord.
For example, you might be able to apply for help with the cost of insulation, a heat pump, a new boiler or boiler repairs. This means you'll have to pay less to heat your home and it will stay warm for longer. The council offers green grants to homeowners who live in properties with a poor energy efficient rating. Find out more on the warmer and greener homes pages and on the Citizens Advice website.