Support with the cost of living crisis

People across the country are facing increased pressures on their household income due to rising energy costs and food bills. In Worcester, there is a range of help, advice and support available to residents.

Tips and advice on saving energy

A range of advice, tips and support for saving energy in your home is available from Act on Energy, including grants for increasing energy efficiency in your home.

Act On Energy

The government has published energy-saving advice as part of the Help for Households Campaign.

Advice available includes:

• Reducing boiler flow temperature
• Turning down radiators not in use
• Draft-proofing windows and doors

Help for Households website

Are you at risk of losing your home?

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, the City Council can provide you with high quality advice and assistance to help you to make informed choices about your housing options.

The City Council believes that homelessness can be prevented in the majority, if not all, cases.

Preventing homelessness

Are there more benefits available to you than you realise?

If you pay Council Tax or rent in Worcester, or if you are of State Retirement Pension age, you may qualify for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.

Find out more these and other events, and see if your claim can be backdated.

Benefits guidance

Having trouble paying your Council Tax?

Contact the City Council on 03004 560560 immediately to seek help and advice. Even if you're not entitled to any discounts, it might be possible for a special arrangement to be made. Remember - the sooner you discuss your problem, the more easily it can be resolved.

Cost of living payments

The Department for Work and Pensions is making cost of living payments to people who receive Universal Credit or certain other benefits; to pensioners; and to people who receive certain disability benefits.

Cost of living payments

Tax-free childcare

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).

Tax-free Childcare

Money Navigator

The Money Navigator tool from Money Helper UK provides free access to money and debt guidance, based on individual circumstances.

There is information on:

• what issues people need to deal with first
• ways of staying on top of bills
• how to find extra support
• where to get extra help

Money Navigator tool

Council grants

Low-income homes can qualify for a Green Homes Grant from the City Council. This can pay for energy efficiency measures such as energy-efficient electric storage heaters, solar panels, insulation and draught proofing.

Green Homes Grant

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund, funded by the UK Government, has now ended.

It has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). While the Household Support Fund focused on cost-of-living support, the CRF is aimed at financial crisis support and strengthening long‑term financial resilience.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Government has announced the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to help people facing financial crisis. The CRF is funded by the UK Government and will run for three years until 31 March 2029.

This national programme provides funding to local authorities in England to:

• Support residents who cannot meet essential costs such as food, energy, or household items.
• Strengthen long term financial resilience, helping households increase income, reduce expenses, and manage financial shocks.
• Ensure support is fair, accessible, flexible, and based on individual need.
• Support may include crisis payments such as cash payments, vouchers, essential household items, and access to preventative services. Councils are encouraged to work with local partners to provide joined‑up support.

We are currently developing the local scheme in line with Department for Work and Pensions guidance. This webpage will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.

Worcester City Council will work with Worcestershire County Council, and voluntary and community sector (VCS) partners to deliver support across four key areas:

• Crisis Payments
• Housing Payments
• Resilience Services
• Community Coordination

Crisis Payments

Crisis Payments provide fast financial help to people facing a short‑term emergency.

A crisis occurs when someone cannot meet essential needs due to a sudden financial shock or an unexpected drop in income — for example, an accident, health issue, or household breakdown leaving them unable to afford food, heating, or essential items.

Support may include:

• Cash payments
• Energy vouchers
• Supermarket vouchers
• Essential household goods

All awards are needs‑based and assessed case‑by‑case to ensure support fits each household’s circumstances.

1. Support with the cost of heating oil and LPG

The Government has provided additional funding through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to support low‑income households who rely on heating oil or LPG and are struggling with rising costs. This support is designed to help people in acute need, particularly where there is a risk of losing access to heating or hot water.

If you are facing a heating oil or LPG emergency—for example, you cannot afford an urgent top‑up due to a sudden increase in prices—you may be eligible for help, in line with national guidance. For further information visit the Act on Energy website.

In addition, Worcestershire households on low incomes who are struggling with rising oil or LPG heating costs can access free, confidential advice and support through their local Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN) partner. WAN partners, including Citizens Advice, Age UK and the Disability Information Advice Line, can provide support through the Alternative Fuel – Oil and LPG Home Energy Support scheme.

Find your nearest WAN partner and contact details at: worcestershireadvicenetwork.org.uk

2. Housing Payments

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payments may be available if you receive Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit and need extra help with:

• Rent
• Rent in advance or rental deposits (where other departments cannot assist)
• One off housing costs such as removal expenses

These payments are usually short term and help residents manage a specific housing related crisis.

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payments

3. Resilience Services

Resilience Services help households improve long‑term financial stability.

Support may include:

• Income maximisation (benefit checks, employment support)
• Debt reduction advice
• Financial capability and budgeting skills

4. Community Coordination

The Worcestershire Crisis and Resilience Fund partnership will work with local organisations including charities, community groups and advice services, to ensure residents can access:

• Advice and advocacy
• Food security
• Connections to specialist organisations
• Wider services that reduce hardship

5. Free school meals

Many children in Worcester have received free meal vouchers throughout the school holidays, from either Worcestershire County Council or Worcester City Council. The City Council is committed to support this initiative, if no other funding is forthcoming.

All students who attend school in Worcester and are registered for the Pupil Premium will qualify for support from this scheme. Any parents who have not received details about claiming their vouchers before the end of term should contact their children's school.

Worcester City Council is extending this offer to people aged 16-18 who are in education. Students should contact their college to claim their voucher.

The City Council is using Household Support Fund money, provided by the Department for Work and Pension, to fund this scheme.

Free school meals

6. Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme

This scheme supports vulnerable low-income Worcester households in crisis who need assistance with the cost of food or white goods, carpets and energy-efficiency measures. It has recently been expanded to help single people and couples, as well as families.

Help available can include providing fridge freezers and/or washing machines, carpets, draught excluders, energy-saving lightbulbs and other items to save energy, as well as food and energy vouchers.

You cannot apply directly to this scheme – a supporting agency or organisation must apply on your behalf. This could be a support worker, care worker, health professional, children's centre, local charity, housing or homelessness support service.

Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme

7. Supporting local agencies

We are supporting local agencies to provide crucial services to assist local residents facing hardship.

Worcester Citizens' Advice

Worcester Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) will provide advice and guidance supporting local residents and signposting those most in need to services that are available to them.

Worcester Citizens' Advice Bureau website

Worcester Foodbank

Part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, Worcester Foodbank provides food, travel vouchers and essential items such as toiletries and school uniforms to residents who are referred to them. Most of the food is contributed by the public, but current demand means they need to top up donations. 

For more information visit the Worcester Foodbank website or call 0808 2082138 for free.

Worcester Foodbank Website

8. Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Grants (VCSE)

Worcester City Council will also be offering VCSE Crisis and prevention grants. Which will enable voluntary/ community sector organisations to provide flexible prevention activities, advice, crisis intervention and support, provide food and warm meals, facilitate warm spaces and meaningful activities. Further information on how to apply for this grant will be available soon.

Wider Cost of Living Support

Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN)

Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN) is a partnership of local agencies; Citizens Advice, Age UK and DIAL, that help with everyday problems such as benefits, housing and debt, their advice is free and confidential. They can support you to find national and local cost of living support.

Find your nearest WAN partner and contact details at: worcestershireadvicenetwork.org.uk

They may offer drop-in clinics or attend local events. Visit their ‘Contact Us’ and ‘News and Events’ webpages for more information.

Age UK Worcester and Malvern District

Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills can distribute cash and vouchers to those most in need. Eligible applicants are people over 66 who are eligible for attendance allowance, who are on a low income (less than £18,000p/a), or who are just above the pension credit criteria.

Find out more on the Age UK website or call 01905 724294.

Age UK

Warm hubs

Libraries, community centres and other locations in Worcester are being opened up as warm hubs in Worcester, to help people to keep warm this winter. People are invited to use these spaces to relax, work, chat and meet. Grab a free hot drink, charge devices and use the Wi-Fi.

Find your nearest warm hub

Face-to-face advice

If you need advice in person, you can call in at the Citizen Advice Bureau in The Hopmarket on Monday and Tuesday, 09:30 - 12:00, and Wednesday 13:00 - 15:00.

Alternatively, call Worcester City Council’s customer services team on 01905 722233, or call in to see them in the Guildhall 9am - 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, or 9.30am - 4pm Wednesday.

Other useful contacts and information

Cost of living useful contacts and information