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Hertfordshire County Council

Find out what support you can get with the cost of living.

 

HertsHelp

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If you need help and don't know where to turn, contact HertsHelp – trained advisors are here to offer free, confidential assistance. They can put you in touch with relevant services and local support.

0300 123 4044
info@hertshelp.net
www.hertshelp.net

Help for households

Help is available for every household. See www.gov.uk/helpforhouseholds

Central government is offering support with energy bills, transport, childcare and household costs. Includes:

See what you're eligible for

 

Money advice

Energy and heating support

Food support (including food banks)

Health, prescriptions and NHS treatments

Support for families

Including holiday activities for kids

Information for professionals

 

Money advice

Are you claiming all the allowances due to you?

Pensions

Around a third of eligible pensioners don’t claim Pension Credit, often because they don't know they can or that they need to.

Pension Credit calculator – find out if you’re eligible and how much you could get. Alternatively, call 0800 99 1234.

Pension Credit tops up:

  • your weekly income to £201.05 if you’re single
  • your joint weekly income to £306.85 if you have a partner.

There are also extra amounts on top if, for example, you are severely disabled, a carer or looking after children. See Pension Credit: What you'll get.

Credit unions

Credit unions – affordable loans and savings accounts. There are 6 credit unions in Hertfordshire:

 

Energy and heating support

Hertfordshire’s energy savings app

Unique and easy-to-use, the Hertfordshire Energy Advice Tool (HEAT) app asks you questions and gives quick, easy, low cost actions based on your answers to help save money on your energy bills.

 Download this app from the Apple App Store.Download this app from Google Play.

 

 

Food support

Food banks

Food banks are community organisations that can help if you can’t afford the food you need. You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.

A good place to ask for a referral is your nearest Citizens Advice. Tell them you need the food bank – they'll probably make you an appointment to discuss your situation with an adviser. 

Alternatively, you can ask for a referral from an organisation that’s already supporting you – for example, a charity, school or children’s centre.

Using a food bank – Citizens Advice

Food banks in Hertfordshire

Free school meals

Check if you're eligible for free school meals

If you're eligible for free school meals due to low income, you can also get vouchers from your school for the half term break. Families can choose to use these supermarket vouchers for food and essentials like blankets, bedding and warm clothing. Contact your school.

 

Kids eat for free or less this summer in Hertfordshire

Love Food Hate Waste advice on how to cut down on your food waste.

Olio – find produce from local businesses which is nearing its sell-by date, spare home-grown vegetables, breads from your local baker or even groceries from your neighbours.

Too Good To Go app – buy surplus unused food from restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.

Kitche – free app that sends reminders and recipe ideas based on what you’ve already got, so you’ll never be stuck for meal ideas.

 

Health, prescriptions and NHS treatments

If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for:

  • NHS prescription charges
  • NHS dental treatment charges
  • the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
  • the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
  • NHS wigs and fabric supports (check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs).

It can be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) if you need to pay for multiple prescriptions.

Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate

Happiness, wellbeing and mental health

 

Support for families

  • Healthy Start If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be able to get help with healthy food, milk and vitamins. Apply for Healthy Start.
  • School uniform grants – you will need to speak to your childs schools to see if they can provide assistance.
  • Childcare and free early education – find out how much free childcare you can get, how to claim it and where you can use it. 
  • Government help with chidlcare costs
  • Hertfordshire Baby bank – collects donations of toys, clothes, accessories and other items for babies, children and parents alike and rehomes them with families in Hertfordshire experiencing hardship.

 

Holiday activities for kids

The HAPpy programme is running around 180 activity camps from 24 July - 31 August 2023.

Book a holiday activity now – there are more than 40,000 free activity camp places. Eligible families should get their booking code from their school and reserve a place at a camp near them as soon as possible.

Fifty Thrifty summer adventures – no cost or low cost activities in Hertfordshire.

 

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