The Cost-of-Living Crisis 2022
Initiatives to help households
We are approaching an Autumn/Winter of high inflation, increasing fuel and food costs, increasing taxes and rents, and a significant impact on everyone’s day-to-day living costs. PHA Homes aim is to provide tenants with information on how you can either maximise your income by accessing grants/financial assistance or reducing your bills.
If you are struggling, then please contact the office on 01730 263589 or via admin@phahomes.co.uk
What has been announced?
- £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee
- Energy support scheme of £400 for all households
- £650 one-off cost of living payment
- One-off £300 Pension Cost of Living payment
- £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
£2,500 Energy Price Guarantee
The new Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) has recently been announced by the Government and will cap the average household’s energy usage at £2,500. This will come into effect on October 1 and take over the current price cap, lasting for two years and will be applied when your next bill is calculated.
The cap is on standing charges and unit rates so the more you use, the more you will pay.
For pre-payment meter customers, the EPG will be applied to the rate you pay for each unit of energy, so the money you put on the meter will last longer than would otherwise have been the case this winter.
So far, consumers will not have been contacted directly about this and are unlikely to be as it will apply to all households across the country. Your energy supplier may contact you regarding the Guarantee. Any queries or concerns regarding the cap should be directed to your provider.
Energy Bill Discount
All households will receive a Energy Bill disc£400 – paid in 6 instalments of £66 between
October 2022 – March 2023. You do not need to apply for this Discount and you will not be asked to provide your bank details.
Warning: Ofgem or energy companies will never ask for your bank details in relation to energy bill. If you receive an email offering an energy rebate do not click on any links or give any personal banking details.
Maximise your income!
Local Foodbanks
PHA Homes can provide referrals for all local foodbanks
Petersfield
East entrance, Methodist Church, Station Road, Petersfield GU32 3EB on Tuesday and Friday mornings 9.30am – 11.30am.
Alton
15 Market Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HD on Tuesday 6.30-7.30 pm, Wednesday 12.30-2.00 pm; Saturday 10.30-12.00 noon Info@alton.foodbank.org.uk / 07773 034447
The foodbanks provide three days’ nutritionally balance emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by the Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
East Hampshire District Council
01730 234 175 / www.easthants.gov.uk
You may be entitled to housing benefit or council tax reduction as a way of reducing the amount of money that you pay out.
Housing Benefit helps people on low incomes with the cost of their rent and is paid by the local council.
Council Tax Reduction helps people on low incomes with the cost of their council tax and is paid by the local council. It is a means tested discount that reduces your council tax bill. It is not a benefit.
The Council recently launched a new wellbeing assessment tool to help residents that may be struggling to pay their council tax bills.
People whose payments are overdue will receive a text message inviting them to complete a TellJO wellbeing survey, which will help the Council identify ways to help you. Debt or benefit advice is available and tenants may be eligible for discounts they didn’t know about; this includes support payments for people struggling financially.
Useful Contacts:
Citizens Advice Centre
Petersfield Library, 2nd Floor 27 The Square
PETERSFIELD
Hampshire
GU32 3HH
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/east-hampshire / 0808 278 7901
The Citizens Advice Bureau offer free advice that is independent, confidential and impartial. They can help with debt advice.
National Debt Helpline
0808 808 4000 or https://www.nationaldebtline.org
Age UK
0800 169 6565 or https://www.ageuk.org.uk