Help with the cost of living
The cost of living crisis means that everyone’s feeling the squeeze and worrying more about how to pay the bills and buy essential items.
You might be able to get help and advice to make changes, so you have more money coming in and less money going out.
What support is available to tenants?
We’re here to help our tenants with the rising cost of living. Please read the information on this webpage and contact us if you’re worried about things like paying your rent or heating your home.
Hardship fund
We know the current cost of living crisis is a challenge for all our tenants, especially those on a low income, families with children, older people, and people with a disability. If you’re a Berneslai Homes tenant experiencing severe financial hardship, help is available.
In these challenging times you may be struggling to make ends meet, and finding it hard to pay for essential expenses including your rent or utilities.
Our Income Team and Tenants First Team can support you with applying for a hardship fund payment – we can help you to complete an application form and guide you through the criteria (see below), or you can complete an application form yourself here.
We can help with your gas and electricity bills with pre-payment vouchers, or help with food and toiletries with vouchers to use at local supermarkets.
If you’re worried about keeping up with rent payments at the moment, contact our Income Team:
Contact our Income Team for support applying for our hardship fund.
If you’re worried about any other essential costs at the moment, contact our Tenants First Team:
Contact our Tenants First Team for support applying for our hardship fund.
You’ll be informed of a decision within 10 working days of receipt of a completed application by the referrer. If your application is refused, we’ll consider alternative options to assist you during this time.
Personal budgeting support
Our tenant support officers can assist tenants with advice on budgeting and how to manage money and looking at their individual circumstances to get more money coming in and less going out of the household. We help with things like lowering payment plans and getting the best deals on utilities.
Cost of Living Payment
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits.
Help to Save
If you’re on a low income you can get help with savings through the Help to Save scheme, which is a type of savings account. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over 4 years. Help to Save is backed by the Government so all savings in the scheme are secure.
Pension Credit
Have you reached state pension age? Do you have a weekly income below £182.60 if you're single or £278.70 if you're in a couple? You could qualify for pension credit. If you're in a couple, you'll BOTH need to have reached state pension age.
