Portsmouth City Council have created a cost of living action plan checklist tool for frontline staff to use with residents.
Background
Portsmouth City Council have created a cost of living action plan checklist tool for frontline staff to use with residents, or their friends and family.
The initial feedback is that relevant teams find it useful, but the Council is seeking to understand more about exactly how it is actually applied in practice, and the measurable outcomes achieved for residents.
You can see the checklist tool below.
The tool
Understand your circumstances
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Action |
Details |
Where / how? |
|
Check your benefit payments are correct |
Check your household details are correct - children, other adults etc Check your rent amount is correct Check what deductions are being taken |
Check the Statement page of your Universal Credit online journal Check your latest award letters for any other benefits Check what you should be receiving using a benefits calculator www.entitledto.co.uk or https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk |
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Check your pay |
Check tax code and if any deductions are correct |
|
| Check your pay | Check you are receiving at least the minimum wage for your age |
https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk ACAS - 0300 123 1100 |
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Complete a budget planner |
Why is a budget important? Understand your income and expenditure Check regular outgoings - are they correct? Are they essential? Can any be reduced? |
https://debtcamel.co.uk/draw-up-a-budget www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning for spreadsheet or printed versions www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner - online planner to save and update - or ring 0800 138 7777 for help and advice |
.Maximise your income
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Action |
Details |
Where / how? |
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Benefits calculation |
Find out which benefits you should be receiving using an online tool |
|
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Reduce deductions from benefits |
Some deductions from Universal Credit can be reduced if they are causing hardship |
What to do about universal credit deductions for debt - Shelter England Ring DWP Debt Management Team 0800 916 0647 |
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Make sure your benefits are not sanctioned |
Understand your Commitment, ensure your Work Coach understands your circumstances |
www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/survival-guide-benefit-sanctions |
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Child maintenance |
Financial support if your child's parent is not living with you |
Find info and advice on setting up an arrangement at www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service or ring 0800 171 2345 Get help arranging child maintenance child-maintenance.service.gov.uk/get-help-arranging-child-maintenance |
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Childcare costs |
Depending on the age of your child and your income |
For advice contact PCC's Family Information Service on 023 9268 8830 or [email protected] |
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Help with the costs of children |
Additional entitlements depending on your circumstances |
Healthy start vouchers from pregnancy until your child turns 4 - www.healthystart.nhs.uk Or ring 0300 330 7010 Free school meals - www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/schools-learning-and-childcare/schools/school-meals or contact your child's school Maternity grant for your first child or multiple births - www.gov.uk/government/publications/sure-start-maternity-grant-claim-form |
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Look for extra support |
Additional benefits and grants depending on your circumstances |
Council Tax Support - www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-support/help-and-support/council-tax-support-scheme Discretionary housing payments for additional help with the costs of rented housing: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-support/help-and-support/discretionary-housing-payments Portsmouth Leisure Card - discounts on local sports and activities: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/leisure/sports-and-activities/portsmouth-leisure-card |
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Rent out a room |
If you have a spare room, you could get tax-free income from a lodger |
Rent a room in your home: The Rent a Room Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
Find ways to cut costs
|
Action |
Details |
Where / how? |
|
Energy bills |
Get help to make your home warmer and reduce your energy bills |
https://switchedonportsmouth.co.uk 0800 260 5907 |
| Energy bills | Warm home discount - £150 off your electricity bill in Autumn/Winter 2022/23 |
www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme for details on eligibility and how to apply or ring 0800 4320534 |
| Energy bills | Advice if you can't afford to pay your bill or top up your meter |
www.ofgem.gov.uk/getting-help-if-you-cant-afford-your-energy-bills |
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Water bills |
Get help if you are struggling to pay your bills, including reduced prices (social tariffs) for those on low incomes |
www.portsmouthwater.co.uk/customer-services/problems-paying or ring 0800 4320534 www.southernwater.co.uk/account/what-if-i-can-t-pay-my-bill or ring 0800 027 0363 |
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Food bills |
Larders and Pantries to reduce your weekly shop Foodbanks and community meals if you cannot afford food |
www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-support/help-and-support/help-with-food |
| Food bills | Find tips on cutting your supermarket food bills |
www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-supermarket-shopping |
| Food bills | Regular offers such as Lidl £1.50 fruit and veg boxes | |
| Food bills | Use apps to find free or cheap surplus food | |
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Mobile phone, internet |
Check when your contract ends and be ready to switch tariff or provider
Shop around for the best deals
Essential and social tariffs for those on qualifying benefits |
www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs |
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Council Tax discounts and exemptions |
Including carers, people with disabilities, care leavers, single adults and others |
https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-tax/council-tax-discounts-and-exemptions |
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TV licence costs |
Don't miss out on your free TV licence if you are over 75 and on pension credit |
https://www.gov.uk/free-discount-tv-licence https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence |
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Overdraft fees / bank charges |
Find out if you can open a Basic Bank Account for your income, and freeze the interest and fees on your overdrawn account |
www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/banking/how-to-choose-the-right-bank-account or ring Money Helper on 0800 138 7777 |
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Insurance costs |
Check the end date of any cover and shop around to get better deal |
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Prescriptions
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Check if you are entitled to free prescriptions If not, check if you could save money with an NHS Prescription Payment Certificate |
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/who-can-get-free-prescriptions or ring 0300 330 1343 https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/buy-prescription-prepayment-certificate/start |
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Car and transport costs |
Cut down on car and travel costs Buy an affordable bicycle from the Community Cycle Centre Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card (JSA and UC) Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme |
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/buying-and-running-a-car/cut-your-car-and-train-costs or ring Money Helper on 0800 138 7777 https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycleCentre https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs |
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Tobacco - save money by quitting smoking or switching to an e-cigarette |
The Wellbeing Service can support you with medication and e-cigarettes to quit smoking |
Call the Wellbeing Service on 023 9229 4001 or visit www.wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk and complete 'Contact Us For Help' - one of the team will be in contact |
Get debt advice for any unmanageable debt
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Action |
Details |
Where / how? |
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Understand who you owe and what you owe |
If you are worried about your debts, get free and impartial advice on making an affordable payment plan |
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt Find factsheets at www.nationaldebtline.org or ring 0808 808 4000 Or contact one of the local, free and independent debt advice providers listed below under 'Get support and advice' |
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Check your credit report for free |
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Prioritise debts |
Debts can be emergencies, priority or non-priority - make sure you know which is which |
www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/how-to-prioritise-your-debts |
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When does a debt not have to be repaid |
Check if you are still liable to pay the debt - could an old debt be 'statute barred' - before you contact the creditor |
Get support and advice
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Action |
Details |
Where / how? |
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Get general and specialist advice on:
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Advice Portsmouth https://adviceportsmouth.org.uk
|
02392 794 340 Anchor House, 116 Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 8AL |
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Get specialist debt advice |
Citizens Advice Portsmouth |
02394 006600 Unit 2-3 Ark Royal House, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2GF |
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Money advice for Portsmouth City Council tenants |
Portsmouth City Council Housing Money Advisers |
www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/contact-us/#housing |
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Money advice for housing association tenants |
Housing association money advisers |
Contact your local customer service team to find out what money advice and support your housing association offer |
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Call a national government-funded helpline |
Need help clearing your debts, reduce spending or making the most of your income and would rather use the phone? Call us for free and impartial money guidance. |
Ring Money Helper on 0800 138 7777 |
Contact
Mark Sage, [email protected]