Cost of Living Crisis
You may have heard about the increasing costs of living in recent months. People are talking about inflation, tax, energy price increases. It can all feel a little overwhelming and scary. You may have heard your family or friends talking about it or you may be living on your own and are worrying about what it all means for you.
If you are worrying about anything to do with the cost of living or how it may effect you or your families lives don’t suffer in silence, help and support is available.
Wirral has a wide range of organisations that can help you and or your families out if you are in need of some help.
Emergency Food Support
If you need emergency food support contact Wirral Foodbank Plus on 0151 638 7090 Monday to Thursday 10am - 1:30 pm
Citizens Advice Wirral 08082 787 848 or call Wirral Council Helpline 0151 666 5050 and select option 1.
Help is also available at Local Libraries. The opening times can be found at wirral.gov.uk
Wirral Foodbank Plus works with Citizens Advice Wirral, providing dedicated advice and support, including:
Benefits
Universal Credit
Debt
Housing
Relationships
If you require help with any of the above or any of the services mentioned in this leaflet, please let one our volunteers know at the foodbank centre you are attending, or contact: Wirral Foodbank: Telephone: 0151 638 7090 (Lines open Mon—Thu 9am— 2pm) Email: enquiries@wirralfoodbank.org.uk
Wirral Food Bank Unit 14 Wirral Business Centre Dock Road Birkenhead CH41 1JW Telephone: 0151 638 7090 (Lines open Mon—Thu 9am— 2pm) Email: enquiries@wirralfoodbank.org.uk Web: www.wirral.foodbank.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England with Charity Number 1167967
Support for Essential Needs (Household Support Fund) Provides help towards:
specialist food needs
shoes and clothing
furniture and household goods
white goods
fuel and water bills
phone and broadband bills
travel costs
veterinary bills
car repair bills
medical expenses.
This list is not exhaustive and other essentials will be considered. You can apply for help by contacting: Wirral Council www.wirral.gov.uk/welfaresupport or via the Wirral Council Helpline on 0151 666 5050.
Financial Support with Fuel & Water Debt
If you or your family cannot afford to pay for your gas and electricity or you are struggling to deal with gas, electricity or water debt, you can get the following help:
If you have a pre-payment meter, you can request a fuel voucher (gas and electric) from Wirral Council: Contact Wirral Council www.wirral.gov.uk/welfaresupport or via the Wirral Coronavirus Helpline on 0151 666 5050.
If you pay by direct debit you can ask for help, from Citizens Advice Wirral, towards your gas, electricity and water costs, which will be paid directly to your provider: or
If you are struggling with gas, electricity and water debt you can ask for help from Citizens Advice Wirral, to clear or reduce your debt: Contact Citizens Advice Wirral www.citizensadvicewirral.org.uk 08082 78 78 48
Help with repair or replacement of heating systems
If you are in unable to repair or replace broken or an old heating system, and do not qualify for help under other programmes you can apply to for help from: Energy Projects Plus Call 0800 043 0151 or www.epplus.org.uk/referrals
If you have something else that is worrying you or you just need to chat to someone be sure to contact Cafe Create or talk to a youth worker at one of Wirral’s Youth Spaces and they will be able to get you the support you need.