Cost of Living Crisis Quick links from Advice Dorset

Citizens Advice have a number of local offices offering face to face, phone and email advice. Follow the below links for your area for more details on locations and support. 

Bridport and District

Central Dorset 

East Dorset and Purceck 

Or call the Dorset Advice line: 08001448848

Make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to. There are three reliable online ‘calculators’ – follow the link from the Government website 

Citizens Advice helpline for Universal Credit claims: 0800 144 8444.

Search for grants for individuals in need on Turn2Us   

Household Support Fund: Supermarket vouchers available for pensioners via an online claim form.

Government cost of living support factsheet link. 

Local Authority administered help: £150 energy bills rebate (‘Council Tax rebate’) – now closed but “if you were identified as eligible for the scheme but failed to apply we will look to credit your Council Tax account before the end of September so that you don't miss out on the rebate”. Follow link for more information.

For info on Winter Fuel Payments, Warm Home Discount, help with childcare costs, etc, go to the Government’s Help for Households website.

For all other Government support follow link to cost of living page. Potential support includes: 

• Energy Bills support scheme – £400 grant  paid in 6 instalments from Oct 2022
• £650 Cost of Living Payment if on means tested benefits, paid in 2 instalments
• One-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

• 150 Disability Cost of Living Payment (paid form 20 Sept 2022)

Help with Energy bills (grants etc) from Ofgem

Ofcom: cheaper broadband and  phone packages

Wessex Water -  Help with bills

Citizens Advice – if you are struggling with living costs

Money Saving Expert – cost of living crisis ‘survival guide’ 90+ ways to save money

Money Helper – living on a squeezed income

Local Citizens Advice can offer a Debt Assessment; referral for fuller debt advice may involve a wait due to demand on services. Other FREE sources of debt help:

• National Debtline:  0808 808 4000 
• StepChange:   0800 138 1111   
• PayPlan:   0800 280 2816