By Mencap
Annette and Tina offer individual and tailored advice to people with a learning disability, their families, and carers.
With over 25 years of
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
in advice and support roles, they are both passionate about making a difference and encouraging change.
If you need help with a cost of living enquiry and our helpline recognises that you need more in-depth support, your enquiry will be forwarded to them. They will contact you and support you through your enquiry by email and/or telephone, providing you with up-to-date advice and
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
.
They have expertise and
knowledge
Knowledge is knowing a lot about something.
, covering a wide range of subjects but specialise in the following cost of living areas:
- Energy advice – including easy reads and practical measures to save energy and stay warm.
- Home energy surveys – guiding you over the telephone to help with saving energy.
- Benefit checks – ensure you are claiming all eligible benefits.
- Budgeting– budgeting and helping people to understand and manage their bills. We can also refer on to specialist debt advice if required.
- Housing - including rent and
council tax
Council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
Tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (
NHS
The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals.
) should work.
to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and council tax.
is the money that people pay to the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
arrears, homelessness, housing related costs, tenancy issues.
If you have any current issues or questions, contact Mencap’s Learning Disability Helpline by:
Phone: 0808 808 1111
Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk with cost of living in the subject line.
Form: Helpline England form
By becoming an everyday
activist
An activist is a person who campaigns to bring about change.
, you'll be the first to hear
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
updates and take online action with thousands of other people.
How to get help with food, energy and fuel costs
We've created a page about the governments cost of living payments. Find out if you are eligible and how to claim them.
Alternatively, join one of our free webinars.