The Priority Services Register
Ask to be added to the free Priorities Services Register - a list that energy and water companies use to make sure they offer help to people who need it.
Thanks to the British Gas Energy Trust for providing funding to help create these resources
News on the cost of living
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.
Advice and support
The Mencap helpline provides free advice and information for people with a
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.
, as well as where you can find help locally
Advice about your energy bills
What to do if you can’t afford to pay
If you can’t afford to pay your energy bills, we have specialist cost of living advisers who can give you
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
.
Help with food
Food banks can give people food in an emergency and sometimes share fuel vouchers to help pay for gas and electricity. The Citizens Advice have information on how to use a food bank.
You usually need a referral to use a food bank.
Cheap but tasty Easy Read recipes
Try these delicious recipes from a
Community
A community is the people and places in an area.
Interest Company called Turning Heads.
Cost of living questions
Frequently asked questions around the cost of living crisis
Is there help for those living in their own home who pay care charges?
If you pay charges for care in your own home, your
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.
should check that you have enough money to live on.
If you think that there are costs that were not looked at when your income was checked, you can ask for your council to look again.
Contact the Mencap Helpline for more information
Can I get support to pay my bills?
The Government has made money available to local councils to support people with their bills. This is called the ‘Household Support Grant’.
Contact the Mencap Helpline to see if there is any help for you.
What is the energy price cap?
The energy price cap is about how much energy companies can charge for gas and electricity.
It started on 1 October 2022 and will last until April 2024. However, the limit will go up after 30 June 2023.
The amount you'll pay depends on how much gas and electricity you use.
You don’t need to do anything. The Energy Price Guarantee automatically applies to all types of energy tariffs.
Can my council take any of this money into account for social care charges?
No.
Many people with a learning disability who get social care support from their council have to pay money in charges towards their care.
The government has said that people get to keep all of the cost of living payments and councils cannot take the payments into account for social care charges.
The government has put this into
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
with new regulations, The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022.
What can I do to make a difference?
You could become a Mencap e-campaigner to make a difference - why not register today?
Alternatively, if you have a story to share about the cost of living crisis, do let us know. We want to share your experiences to help people understand what things are like for people with a learning disability.