The Household Support scheme is for residents of Blackburn with Darwen. There are fuel payments, boiler servicing, home insulation and help with items like fridges and washing machines if you are struggling. You could be missing out on financial help, even if you are in work and don’t currently receive any benefits.
- Age UK: Support and advice for people over 50 in Blackburn with Darwen.
- Rummage Rescuers: offers thousands of items at affordable prices in Blackburn town centre and Mill Hill.
Help with fuel costs and energy efficiency
There are local organisations that can help:
- Jubilee Tower Credit Union: Community based financial support and loans
- Care Network: The Safe and Warm Homes programme provides advice and support to help your home be more energy efficient.
- Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL): The one stop shop for warmth which includes grants for first time central heating and insulation where eligible.
- United Utilities: There are various schemes to help customers pay their bills and save money:
Support to access food
If you are suffering hardship or struggling to make ends meet the Household Support Family Food Boxes are still available from the Community and Business Partners organisation. To apply or to arrange collection, please email victoria@cbpartners.org
- Blackburn Foodbank: Help with emergency food needs:
- Darwen Food Larder: Help with emergency food needs.
- Blackburn with Darwen Council free school meal information: Find out if your child can receive free school meals.
- Healthy Start Vouchers: Find out if you can get help to buy food or milk for your child.
Money, debt, housing advice & support
- Shelter: Help with debt, welfare benefits and housing issues.
- The Oaks Money Advice Centre: Free, confidential money advice for all based at Blackburn Foodbank:
- Lancashire Women: Help with money support and energy advice.
- Blackburn with Darwen Council: Support with cost of living, Council Tax Support, Household Support Scheme and more.
Mental health support
- Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health helpline: Mental health support at the end of the phone: 0800 013 0707
- Lancashire Mind: Local mental health charity with a wide range of services
- Every Mind Matters: NHS advice, tips and support.
- Kooth: Safe and anonymous mental health support for young people.
- Spark Blackburn with Darwen Recovery Collective: Addiction support or people of all ages, families and children.
Gambling and illegal money lending support
These websites have information, support and advice if you have concerns about gambling and illegal money lending (loan shark) issues:
Employability and Careers Support
For support in moving into employment, learning new skills or general jobs advice:
Energy advice
With the rising cost of energy, there are a number of government schemes and grants available to help people with their fuel bills.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme will be expanded, so nearly 3 million low-income households will benefit from a £150 discount.
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is a government grant for people born before 25 September 1956 to help pay their heating bills. Payments will vary depending on circumstance.
Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment is automatically given to eligible households in areas where temperatures are recorded below 0 degrees for 7 consecutive days.
Other schemes
Some energy suppliers also run their own energy grants to provide financial aid for those who need it, you don't necessarily need to be their customer to take advantage.
Digital Access and Broadband
Contact your provider and ask about Social Tariffs to reduce broadband cost.
Devices, if on UC or employment based benefits ask your work coach at DWP.
Search the web for companies providing free data.
Bill Busters Project – Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living
BwD Healthy Living are supporting residents living in fuel debt We are creating a sustainable holistic offer for residents, especially with the recent cost of living crisis and gas and electricity rising drastically this offer can make a big difference to people’s lives. We know that cold homes can lead to ill health for people of all ages, exacerbating the health inequalities which many of our residents already face.
Residents can self-refer or be referred in by services. This can be done over the phone or by completing a simple form and sending it into our office electronically or by post.
For more information please contact our office on: 01254 292650 or e mail us on billbusters@bwdhl.org.uk