Help with the cost of living
The cost of living crisis means that everyone’s feeling the squeeze and worrying more about how to pay the bills and buy essential items.
We’re here to help tenants with the rising cost of living. Please read the information on this webpage and contact us if you’re worried about things like paying your rent or heating your home.
You might be able to get help and advice to make changes, so you have more money coming in and less money going out.
What support is available to tenants?
Hardship fund
Many people struggle to make ends meet and unexpected costs especially at this time of year might mean you suddenly find yourself in difficult circumstances. We’re here to support tenants and offer a helping hand when you need it.
- Is the cost of living affecting you and your household?
- Are you struggling to make ends meet?
- Are you worried about heating your home?
- Are you finding it difficult to afford food or other essential items?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, help may be available from our hardship fund.
Our Income Team and Tenants First Team can support you with applying for a hardship fund payment – we can help you to complete an application form and guide you through the criteria (see below), or you can complete an application form yourself here.
We can help with your gas and electricity bills with pre-payment vouchers, or help with food and toiletries with vouchers to use at local supermarkets.
If you’re worried about keeping up with rent payments at the moment, contact our Income Team:
Contact our Income Team for support applying for our hardship fund.
If you’re worried about any other essential costs at the moment, contact our Tenants First Team:
Contact our Tenants First Team for support applying for our hardship fund.
You’ll be informed of a decision within 10 working days of receipt of a completed application by the referrer. If your application is refused, we’ll consider alternative options to assist you during this time.
Personal budgeting support
Our tenant support officers can assist tenants with advice on budgeting and how to manage money and looking at their individual circumstances to get more money coming in and less going out of the household. We help with things like lowering payment plans and getting the best deals on utilities.
Cost of Living Payment
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits.
Help to Save
If you’re on a low income you can get help with savings through the Help to Save scheme, which is a type of savings account. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over 4 years. Help to Save is backed by the Government so all savings in the scheme are secure.
Pension Credit
Have you reached state pension age? Do you have a weekly income below £201.05 if you're single or £306.85 if you're in a couple? You could qualify for Pension Credit.
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings, or you have housing costs. If you're in a couple, you'll both need to have reached state pension age.
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with some housing costs.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age or can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months.
To apply:
You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- information about any income, savings, and investments you have
- information about your income, savings, and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to
You’ll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number.
Welcoming spaces
Once again, we're opening some of our community centres as warm and welcoming spaces where you can spend time to stay warm and well this winter.
This year, we've created three 'home from home' spaces which are designed to be comfortable, cosy, and a welcoming space to socialise, enjoy a cuppa, relax, or and take part in activities together.
These spaces were given some love from teams of volunteers from across Berneslai Homes, supported by local organisations. There are reading materials, plug in points, hot drinks, games and activities, and the chance to chat to our teams about support you may need as an existing tenant.
Our warm spaces are at:
- Honeywell, Barnsley, S71 1PZ
- Kirk View, Hoyland, S74 9HY
- Maltas Court, Worsbrough, S70 4QG
Honeywell Community Centre, Barnsley town centre
- Wednesday 6 December 2.30-5.30pm
- Wednesday 13 December 12-3pm
- Wednesday 20 December 12-3pm
- Wednesday 3 January 2024 2.30-5.30pm
- Wednesday 10 January 12-3pm
- Wednesday 17 January 12-3pm
- Wednesday 24 January 12-3pm
- Wednesday 31 January 12-3pm
Kirk View Community Centre, Hoyland
- Tuesday 5 December 2.30-5.30pm (Budgeting workshop - all welcome!)
- Tuesday 12 December 1-4pm
- Tuesday 19 December 1-4pm
- Tuesday 2 January 2024 2.30-5.30pm
- Tuesday 9 January 1-4pm
- Tuesday 16 January 1-4pm
- Tuesday 16 January 1-4pm
- Tuesday 23 January 1-4pm
- Tuesday 30 January 1-4pm
Maltas Court Community Centre, Worsbrough
- Thursday 7 December 2.30-5.30pm
- Thursday 14 December 10am-1pm
- Thursday 21 December 10am-1pm
- Thursday 4 January 2.30-5.30pm
- Thursday 11 January 10am-1pm
- Thursday 18 January 10am-1pm
- Thursday 25 January 10am-1pm
