with cost of living?

Hard-up Erewash residents face an increasing struggle to make ends meet amid the cost-of-living crisis - and the council is here to do what it can to help.

Fuel poverty is predicted by TV’s Martin Lewis to be even worse this winter than last after the Government warned it is pulling the plug on subsidising sky-high bills.

Ten million people across the country are estimated by the Financial Conduct Authority to be in financial straits. The Erewash Borough Council website is packed with practical steps for residents with money worries –click on the tab Cost of Living.

Consumer champion Martin says the FIRST step for those daunted by energy bills should be to contact their supplier as soon as possible. He explains on his MoneySavingExpert website: “Under rules from regulator Ofgem, your supplier has to help you –usually by negotiating a payment plan that you can afford.”

Further help is available from Citizens Advice, which has an Erewash hub in Ilkeston on Heanor Road. The organisation is independent but partners with Erewash Borough Council, which helps to fund it. Contact details can be found on our website.

If you don’t have enough money to live on, Citizens Advice can be invaluable.

To help keep bills down, householders and those renting from private landlords may be entitled to money towards making homes more energy efficient. This could include insulation or a new boiler.

Citizens Advice can give guidance on this, including information for those in social housing. You can check if you can get help from the Boiler Upgrade

Scheme at the website GOV.UK

For more information on green grants, other cost of living entitlements and even food banks, visit erewash.gov.uk

Council leader James Dawson said: “When money is as tight as it is – including for the council – we want to reassure people across the borough that we are doing everything in our power to make life more bearable for those in dire straits.”

Case study 1

TOM is 60 and lives alone in a rented housing association property. The stroke sufferer was baffled after being switched to a new electricity provider in someone else’s name. This meant he got no government Energy Support Scheme payments. Citizens Advice contacted the Ombudsman. His account was switched back. He got the payments he was entitled to – plus £80 compensation.

Case study 2

FRANK and JENNIFER are both over 65 and feared going into debt as they battled to manage their household budget. Both receive disability benefits. They were put in touch with Citizens Advice who found the couple were not getting their full entitlement. Thanks to this their income increased by an amazing £12,579 a year.

Case study 3

SALLY was living hand to mouth and was at her wits’ end. She was put in touch with Derbyshire’s Welfare Rights Service. She said: “I was having suicidal thoughts as I had no money.” In just one year, the service has helped residents access more than £26million in additional benefits. Sally said: “The advisor was extremely friendly and helpful.