Cost of living - Support

High Peak

Visit our Reduce Energy Use webpage to find help to reduce your energy use.

Warmer Derby and Derbyshire offer advice on energy bills, switching tariffs, how you can make your home more energy efficient and what grants are available for heating systems and insulation.

Our Energy Debt webpage has information on how you can avoid fuel debt and a number of energy trusts who may be able to help as the cost of living increases.

There are a number of schemes and grants available that may be able to help you with your fuel bills or to make your home more energy efficient. Visit our grants page to find out more.

You can apply for council tax reduction and housing benefit from High Peak Borough Council.

With winter approaching and, as the cost of living crisis and energy price hikes continue, a number of charities, community groups and small businesses have committed to opening up their premises as 'Welcoming Spaces' where residents can go to keep warm. You can find out more on spaces available by visiting our Welcoming Spaces page'.

Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire County Council has created a cost of living area on their website which offers lots of information to help residents during this time. This includes support for families, local food support projects, help for carers and people with disabilities and energy grant schemes.

Support with the Cost of living leaflet Aug 2022 (PDF, 613 KB)

Healthy, Warm and Well in Derbyshire Your guide to council, health, voluntary and community services in Derbyshire 2024/2025 (PDF, 3 MB)

If you need financial assistance for primary or secondary school essentials visit -

Primary school essentials

Secondary school essentials

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund (HSF) offers help to Derbyshire residents facing financial hardship by providing grants and other financial support. The fund is provided to Derbyshire County Council by the government. The scheme is available until March 2026 and will be distributed in a variety of ways over the next few months. For more information please go to: Household Support Fund - Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire Discretionary Fund

The Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF) can provide grants or emergency cash payments if you are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster, or if you need help to settle or remain in your home. For more information, and to apply into the fund please go to: Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF) - Derbyshire County Council

National

• 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.
• 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.
• Use the Gov.uk benefits checker to see if you may be entitled to any benefits to help during this time.
• Help for Households is a Government website which provides support and advice with cost of living. It includes information on energy bills, childcare, income support, transport costs and help finding work.
• Looking after our mental health is really important. If you feel anxious or are struggling visit Every Mind Matters where you'll find lots of help and tips to help look after you and your mental health.
• Get water fit today - Find out how and where you use water in your home and discover easy ways to make savings.
• 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
• Green Doctors provide FREE services such as helping fix causes of heat loss in your home, tackling problems with damp or mould; and have useful tips for saving energy and water whilst ensuring your home stays safe and comfortable
• Free School Meals
• Healthy Start - for people more than 10 weeks pregnant or with children under 4, help to buy healthy food and milk.
• Sure Start Maternity Grant - A one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having your first child
• Universal Credit: further information for families
• Move to UC
• Council Tax Reduction - for those on a low income or claim benefits.
• Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) - financial support to help with rent or housing costs.
• Tax-Free Childcare - Up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each child to help with the costs of childcare.
• Help paying for childcare
• Universal Credit & childcare - Claim back up to 85% childcare costs if eligible for UC
• Help to Save - Get help with savings if you're on a low income (Help to Save)
• Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

Help through Hardship - 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.)