Budgeting and saving money on everyday expenses
The price of things we buy is in the news a lot. You hear stories about the cost of everyday things we spend our money on like rent Rent is the money that you pay to live in your home when you have a tenancy agreement. Your home belongs to a landlord, but you have a right to live there as long as you follow the rules that are in your tenancy agreement. , energy, food and travel. Some people group all these costs together by calling them the cost of living.
What is your story about the cost of energy, food or travel?
This page is full of information which can help you
budget
A budget is a plan where you look at how much money you have and how you will spend it.
and save money on your everyday
expenses
Expenses means the money you spend to buy things or pay for services.
.
Food banks and social supermarkets
There are many food banks and social supermarkets around the country which are there to support those who are struggling to afford enough food.
Easy Reads: Advice and support with energy and money
This advice tool is full of useful information to help you manage your household bills and living costs with tips on how to save money.
Most of the information in this section is provided in Easy Read Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing. format.
Remember if you need to talk to somebody you can contact the Learning Disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. helpline for more information and support:
Phone: 0808 808 1111
Email: [email protected]
How to use this advice tool (Easy Read)
We have made Easy Read instructions on how to use this tool to find the things you want to know about.
Read the instructionsWhat would you like to know about?
Benefits from the government
Our benefit pages can help you identify which benefit you might be able to claim, and how to challenge any refusal decisions.
Find the best broadband deal
When you look at information about broadband from different companies, you might want to find out about:
- the price you will pay each month
- the speed of the broadband
- how long the contract lasts
- if there are any extra costs
- what happens if things go wrong with the broadband.
Further advice and support from Mencap
By Mencap
Start by using the ‘Advice and support with energy and money’ tool on this page. You might be able to find the answer to your questions there. If you still feel like you need more help, contact our helpline and our advisors can point you in the right direction.
We have an Easy Read guide that explains how to read your energy bills.
You can also attend one of our free webinars (online lessons) that will explain how it all works.
If you need one-to-one support, our helpline advisors can read through your bill with you and help you to understand what it all means.
This is called managed migration. Our Easy Read guide explains what is happening and what you should do.
If you have a learning disability we can go through your forms with you as well as how to properly submit them, just call our helpline.
Mencap doesn’t give out money directly. Our caseworkers can help you check if you are entitled to any grants, and help you apply. Just call our helpline to get started.
You should always be allowed some spending money, this is called minimum
income
Income is all the money you get from things like paid jobs and government benefits.
guarantee (MIG).
The government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
says you should always have access to a small amount of money to keep for yourself, even if you are in a
supported living
Supported living is when you live in your own home with support from staff. People who live in supported living have a tenancy agreement.
or
care home
A care home is a place where people who need support live. There are staff there all the time.
. Call our helpline and we can explain how much you are entitled to and what to do if you aren’t getting that.
You have the right to challenge these charges to try and get them reduced. Call our helpline and we can help you have them reviewed.
Yes, there are options such as pre-paid debit cards that can help protect Protect means keeping someone or something safe. you from being scammed. Contact your bank to discuss the best options for your situation.
Mencap has worked with Shelter to have the best advice ready to help people in your situation. Call our helpline and we can help you get on top of it before it gets worse.
Yes, use the “Advice and support with energy and money” tool on this webpage and select “Ways to save money”