Ask Citizens Advice: I’m really worried about how I’ll cope as it starts getting colder. What should I do?

Citizens Advice Rochdale is a local charity that provides free, independent, impartial, confidential advice to people in Rochdale.

The Citizens Advice brand is steeped in over 80 years of history and is one of the most recognised brands in the country, supporting millions of people each year across England and Wales.

Each month, we share advice around a key issue that we’re seeing across Rochdale.

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The cost of things just keeps going up. The food shop doesn’t stretch as far and my bills just keep getting higher. I’ve made cutbacks and, at the moment, I’m just about managing but I’m really worried about how I’ll cope as it starts getting colder. What should I do?

You’re not alone in struggling with rising costs, but it’s important to know there is support available.

If you’re finding it hard to stay on top of bills, make sure you know what money you’ve got coming in and out each month. Citizens Advice has an online budgeting tool that can help with this.

It’s also worth finding out if you’re eligible for any benefits or support with your energy and living costs. On our website you’ll find a benefits calculator, advice on how to reduce living costs and information on other ways to increase your income.

The good news is there is help with rising energy bills. From October 1 2022, there’s a limit on gas and electricity prices for most households — this is called the Energy Price Guarantee and will be in place for two years.

From October you’ll also get £400 off your electricity bill. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The discount will be automatically applied to your electricity bill in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023; you’ll get £66 in October and November followed by £67 in December, January, February and March.

You should automatically receive the energy discount if you pay by direct debit, standard credit or payment card.

If you have a prepayment meter that isn’t a smart meter, you’ll get the discount via vouchers or as an automatic credit when you top up at your usual top-up point. Your supplier will let you know how they will issue it.

If you have a smart prepayment meter, the credit should be automatically added to your meter.

If you can’t pay your bills, speak to your energy supplier as they have a responsibility to help you come up with a solution.

For more support, please contact Citizens Advice Rochdale. Our Adviceline is free to call on 0808 278 7803, or you can access advice via WhatsApp or face to face at a location near you.