Find help with cost of living
Support for Leicestershire residents
We're doing everything we can to support families as cost of living rises bite.
There are funds, programmes, and services to help you and your family get through this difficult time.
If you’re 66 or over, you could be eligible for pension credit.
Help with food and fuel
The Holiday Activity Fund provides free places at holiday clubs over the summer for children eligible for free school meals. We’re able to offer these as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, backed by footballer Marcus Rashford. The free sessions include sports, music, arts, and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.
In Wigston, Coalville, Loughborough, and Hinckley, our volunteer-run Community Fridges are continuing to support their local communities by providing donated food for free to anyone who needs it.
There are six community kitchens in Leicestershire helping people to not only reduce food waste but also save money. Learn more about the Love Food Hate Waste programme.
We support The Signposting and Community Support Service which helps people in hardship with furniture and electrical goods, as well as emergency short-term food and fuel support to people in crisis.
Help with home energy
From grant funding and benefits to simple changes that save money, the Warm Homes service supports people to maintain affordable warmth in their homes. Energy advice and switching support is also offered to residents to help them make informed decisions in the future.
Help with transport
A £300 e-bike voucher is available to help residents in Oadby and Wigston buy an electric bike.
Community transport runs accessible bus services and Dial-a-Ride in each district and gives communities access to transport for residents to access local amenities.
Help with employment, skills and opportunities
Information about grants and funding opportunities for charities, community groups and social enterprises to deliver community based projects and services for vulnerable or disadvantaged people.
We give funding to Citizens Advice to help them offer support on issues relating to benefits, debt, homelessness, and employment.
If you’re looking for support with skills, training or employment, our Work & Skills Leicestershire scheme can help you.
As well our Work & Skills Leicestershire scheme, we’re launching a new project called Multiply this autumn. The initiative aims to increase people’s confidence with numbers, giving them the tools they need to improve their job prospects and life chances, help children with the schoolwork, and feel more confident managing their household budgets.
Supporting our communities
Helping people to lead safe and fulfilling lives is part of our job – and this includes support with rising prices.
Our teams help adults who need additional support because of increasing fuel and food prices - including older people where in many situations their care workers are the only people that they will see and interact with.
Our children and family workers help people with cooking on a budget, budgeting, priority debts, and signpost families to the sources of support.
If you’re already receiving support from adult social care or children and family services, please talk to your worker about what help is available.
Our Local area co-ordinators and community recovery workers provide direct support on a range of issues including food, finances and fuel.
Our First Contact Plus service is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place. Information and resources on housing, health, living independently, money advice, work, security, and other topics that assist the county’s residents can be found.
Our libraries provide:
- free access to PCs and Wi-Fi
- a wide range of books and resources to loan for free, including e-resources and online reference tools
- advice on accessing digital information and services, including free data to people who meet certain criteria. More information can be found on the Good Things Foundation website.
Support is also available from:
- Help for Households – Support on the government website to help with the cost of living, including tips on saving money and energy.
- Ofcom – You may be eligible to move onto a cheaper tariff if you’re struggling to afford your broadband or phone.
- NHS
- British Red Cross
- Stop Loan Sharks
Your district or borough council: