You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
![Councillor Peter Gould](/image-library/peter-gould-ws-hr-1.xb6cb8b20.jpg?width=470&height=256&fit=crop&quality=75&format=webp)
You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
There is a lot of information out there about the support available both nationally and locally to help you with the Cost of Living. To make it easier to navigate, we have compiled information about the different support and advice below. Click the sections to find out more.
The Government's Cost of Living Hub website has lots of resources and links to support you and your family at this time.
Suffolk Infolink details all the support in your community which is local to you and through various national charities and organisations. It also links to national and local websites providing advice and tips which you may find useful.
Suffolk County Council's Cost of Living Support leaflets signpost to local services who can help, depending upon where you live in the County. You can find these on our Helpful Resources page.
There is help available to support you. Visit Infolink for more details of organisations able to support.
A grant is an amount of money that a government or local authority gives to an individual or an organisation for a particular purpose, such as support with housing costs.
If you are struggling financially, there are grants available which you may be eligible to apply for which can help lessen the burden. The following support is administered by Suffolk County Council:
For more information on how Suffolk is allocating Household Support Funding locally, please visit our Household Support Fund webpage.
The Local Welfare Assistance Scheme (LWAS) helps those experiencing financial hardship. This could mean you are struggling to afford the basics, such as food, heating, clothing and fuel, or to pay your household bills. There are lots of reasons why you may be in hardship and if you are eligible, LWAS can provide financial help.
The scheme is not intended as emergency support and only one award can be made to an eligible household in a 6-month period. The LWAS is not intended as long-term support. The quickest way to make an application is via the webform, using your smartphone, tablet or computer. If you have all the information and documents required to make an online application then the webform will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you are unable to make an application for support yourself, please contact your local Citizens Advice.
To find out whether you are eligible for support and to make an application, please visit the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme webpage.
The Government Help for Households website provides more information about eligibility for Cost of Living payments, as well as help with rent payments, water bills and more.
Funding has been given to local District and Borough Councils via the Household Support Fund, to support locally with housing costs. If you need support with housing costs, it is recommended that you discuss your circumstances with your local Housing Needs Team at your District or Borough Council, so that they can help identify what options may be available to you and the support you might require. Please note, the team are unable to support with mortgage assistance as part of the Household Support Fund.
To find out who your local District or Borough Council is, you can use the Postcode Checker at GOV.UK.
To contact your local housing team, please visit:
Please be aware that scammers take advantage of people when they are vulnerable. You may find yourself more susceptible to scams when distracted and worried about your financial situation.
Follow Suffolk County Council's Trading Standards on social media to see the most up to date advice and scams circulating
Always report a scam
Please report scams to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or via their online reporting service. If you have lost money or given a scammer your financial details, contact your bank immediately.
Forward scam text messages to 7726.
Send scam emails to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk
Your mental health may suffer if you are worried about the cost of living pressures. We have advice and guidance to support you through the challenges on Suffolk Infolink.
It is important that you do not feel alone, and continuing connections in your local community can be helpful in keeping you active and involved. You can find groups, activities and support in your local area by adding your postcode in to Suffolk Infolink