Cost of living - Financial Support

Pension Credit

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council does not administer Pension Credit. Therefore, to check if you are eligible for Pension Credit, please visit the following web page https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

It is important that you check if you are eligible by 21 December 2024 as this may have an impact on winter fuel payment. The full details and eligibility are in more detail on the webpage, but if you have any questions or want to apply you can call the Pension Credit phone number on 0800 99 1234 or apply online.

Benefits Support

If you pay rent for your home you may be entitled to some help. You can only claim Housing Benefit if your Capital is below £16,000 and;

• you and your partner are pension age
• you are working age and live in supported accommodation
• you have been placed in temporary accommodation

Council Tax Support

If you are on a low income and need help paying your council tax, you can check if you are eligible for Council Tax Reduction.

You won't be able to claim if:

• you are of pension age and you and any partner have over £16,000 in savings (unless you receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit Savings Credit)
• you are working age and you and any partner have more than £10,000 in savings

You can use the online benefits calculator to check if you are eligible which only takes around 15 minutes to complete.

If you are working age and on Universal Credit, we will automatically process a claim to check if you are entitled to Council Tax Reduction.

Council Tax discounts, exemptions and reductions

There are several different types of reductions that can reduce your council tax bill; some examples are listed below:

• If you are the only person over 18 years old who lives in your home, you may be entitled to a discount of 25 percent.
• Council tax is based on two adults over the age of 18 living in a property and, in some circumstances, certain people are disregarded when calculating how much council tax needs to be paid. For example, students and those undertaking certain apprenticeships may not be counted. Similarly, persons classed as severely mentally impaired (including those with Alzheimer's and Dementia) may not be counted. Examples of this include:
• There are two adults over the age of 18 living in a property and one is a student. The person who is the student will be disregarded and the bill will be reduced by 25%.
• There are two adults over the age of 18 living in a property and one is classed as severely mentally impaired. The person who is severely mentally impaired will be disregarded and the bill will be reduced by 25%.

Disabled banding reduction

You may be entitled to a reduction if you or an adult or a child living with you is permanently disabled. If a reduction is granted, your bill will be based on the valuation band below your property.

To see if you are eligible for any reduction to your council tax bill, please visit the Council's web page to check the criteria.

If you do not have access to the internet and need support in filling in applications for any reductions you can phone the Council on 0345 6053011.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs and is paid monthly.

You may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

Youf can find out more about and apply for Universal Credit by visiting www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Other financial help

Citizens Advice - 

Citizens' Advice offers help and information for people who need more support with cost of living. Visit their website where they have collated lots of information and links to websites where more help is available.

Money Helper -

If you need help to manage your budget or if you're struggling with debt visit Money Helper. Money Helper offer free support, advice and impartial guidance.

Benefits Checker -

Use the Gov.uk benefits checker to see if you may be entitled to any benefits to help during this time.

The Royal British Legion - 

The Royal British Legion has launched Everyday Needs Grants, providing up to £2,400 over 12 months for members of the Armed Forces community. Read more and apply here: rbl.org.uk/costofliving

Help through Hardship -

Help through Hardship is a freephone number to allow individuals to talk confidentially to a trained Citizens Advice adviser 0808 208 2138. (Open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Closed on public holidays.)