Bills, food, and transport

Cold Weather Payment

Extra money for people receiving certain benefits when there’s very cold weather. You get £25 a week for each seven-day period of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year. To be eligible, the average temperature in your area needs to have been 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days. You will also need to be receiving certain benefits, such as: • Income Support. • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. • Income-related Employment and

Support Allowance. • Universal Credit.

• Support for Mortgage Interest.

Household Support Fund (HSF)

The HSF has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship to pay for food and household energy bills. The HSF has been divided into five support routes.

Pensioners who are struggling financially are eligible for this support if: • You were born on or before 30 September 1956. • You live in Cambridgeshire. • No one under the age of 19 (born after the 30

September 2003), lives with you.

Age UK is delivering this service. Call 01223 221929.

Trusted partners

You can also access support from the fund through a trusted partner. For a list of partners, visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk and search ‘household support fund’.

Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme

(CHVS) provides supermarket vouchers for parents of children who meet certain criteria.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme gives parents access to free childcare (including meals and activities) over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, subject to availability and eligibility.

Support with food and household energy

For people who earn less than £17,940 per year or are in receipt of certain benefits. Visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk and search ‘household support fund’.

Advice and support services Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Services

Provides advice and support to households in Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City around heating and energy. Email: warmhomes@pect.org.uk Tel: 01733 568408

Local Energy Advice Programme (LEAP)

Offers a free, in-home advice visit to households in Peterborough and South Cambridgeshire to help save you money and keep your home warm. LEAP can:

• Install free, simple energy-saving measures such as LED light bulbs and draught-proofing. • Check if you’re on the best energy tariff via its dedicated switching service. • Arrange a free money advice consultation. • Help you find funding for further energy-saving home improvements.

Visit www.applyforleap.org.uk

Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS)

Provides information, advice, and practical support and assistance in times of exceptional pressure. Following an assessment, you may be eligible for a CLAS award, such as supermarket vouchers, energy vouchers, or recycled white goods and furniture. Tel: 0344 848 7979 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm).