Help with rising prices

I am a single parent, with two young children.

I am already struggling to stay on top of my household bills, my weekly food shop
is getting much more expensive and now my energy bill is going up too. I don’t
know how I’m going to afford all these price rises.

What can I do?

First of all, you are not alone in this and there’s support to help you. It’s always worth
checking if there are benefits you don’t know about that you’re eligible for, including
support with your energy costs and living costs. On the Citizens Advice website
there’s a benefits calculator, advice on how to reduce living costs and information on
other ways to increase your income.

There’s also emergency support that you may have access to, such as food bank
vouchers or fuel vouchers. You could contact your local council to see if they could
also offer support.

If you’re struggling to stay on top of bills, it’s really important to understand what
money you have coming in and going out each month. Citizens Advice has a
budgeting tool on its website that can help with this.

And if you’re already behind on bills, prioritise paying your rent or mortgage, plus
energy bills and Council Tax first. Not paying these bills has the most serious
consequences. You should speak to the person or company you owe money to, to
see if they can help you repay your bills sustainably.

We know that times are incredibly tough but please remember, you don’t have to
face this alone. Contact South Lakes Citizens Advice on 015394 46464 to help you
find a way forward.

Free, confidential advice and help is available from South Lakes Citizens
Advice on any aspect of debt, consumer problems, benefits, housing,
employment or any other problems.

South Lakes Citizens Advice is still delivering a service – Telephone and Digital
Advice

How to access:
 Call 015394 46464 – this is being staffed from 9:30 – 2pm (this line will
open more in due course)
 Adviceline: 0808 2787 984
 email advice via our submission page on our website
www.southlakescab.org.uk
 Help to Claim (Universal Support): 0800 144 8 444