Norfolk County Council’s Cost of Living Support Scheme has a £7.7m package of support to help households struggling to pay for food, fuel, energy and water bills, and other essentials. Support is available on their website at Norfolk website or by contacting them on 0344 800 8020.
Residents in Need can apply to the Norfolk Community Foundation for grants of up to £50 per household to help older people, disabled people and carers with the cost of household energy bills and other regular utility bills. Norfolk Household Support Fund
Empowering communities for winter resilience: There is funding to develop capacity in any services that support vulnerable people in their community to stay safe, well and connected this winter Empowering Communities Fund
Cost of Living Vouchers: Families that are eligible for free school meals will automatically receive a monthly ‘cost of living’ voucher. The vouchers will be £15 per month, per child. There’s a larger payment of £30 for August, to coincide with the school holidays. The vouchers will be paid up to and including October 2022. The vouchers are provided by Edenred, which can be used in all supermarkets for essentials, including clothing. Find out if you are eligible here: eligible for free school meals.
Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) helps people in financial hardship to pay for their living costs. The scheme can provide emergency financial help, supply essential household goods and furniture and give support, guidance and advice. Simply complete an application with evidence of your financial situation. For more information and to apply go to:
www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS
Emergency funding/housing related costs
The local borough or city council can offer a wide range of support: Great Yarmouth Borough Council residents support
Nourishing Norfolk: Community supermarkets and community fridges offer a long-term solution. They offer a wide range of affordable groceries and enable people to choose the food they would like to buy so they can put together well-balanced, nutritious meals. Norfolk County Council is supporting Norfolk Community Foundation’s Nourishing Norfolk movement to develop 15 food hubs in Norfolk. Find out more about how people can access foodbanks, community supermarkets and community fridges On Norfolk County Council’s website: Help with food and drink
Tricky Period and Toiletries: All Norfolk Libraries have free bags of sanitary products and toiletries available to grab and go. They are freely available and there is no need to ask. More information about what is available is on Norfolk County Council’s website:
Tricky Period and Toiletries
Community Learning: Norfolk’s Adult Learning service is running the following courses. Find out what’s available and book online:
- Budgeting courses such as “beat the bills”.
- Cooking courses in conjunction with Community Supermarkets.
- Family learning activities in school holidays.
Help with paying water bills: Norfolk County Council is working with Anglian Water to help older, vulnerable residents with their water debts. Anglian Water will be getting in touch with all those on the social tariff who are eligible for support. However, if you know someone of any age who is struggling to pay their water bills please they should contact Anglian Water directly.