Cost of Living

Winter can be an expensive time for many households, and with bills increasing and Christmas around the corner, money can be tight. Don't suffer in silence, there is a lot of advice and support available! 

Ensure you are receiving the benefits and support you are entitled to with our Benefit Calculator. It only takes 5 minutes to complete and you could find that you are entitled to more support. 

Alternatively, contact our welfare and benefits team who can offer advice and support -  contact us today for more information. 

Warm Hubs 

If you are struggling to heat your home during the day there are lots of warm hubs across Wirral you can find your closest one here. If you are outside of Wirral you can find warm hubs across the UK here. 

We also welcome you to join us in our Hub at Partnership Building which is open 9am- 5pm. 

Energy Support  

If you are changing your energy supplier always use Energy Club to compare energy deals. If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, ensure you contact your energy supplier.  Under Ofgem rules, they have to help you, usually by negotiating a payment plan to suit you—   

• A full payment plan review
• Affordable debt repayment plans 
• Payment break (this may not be right for everyone)
• Payment reductions 
• More time to pay 
• Access to hardship funds

Alternatively, contact our welfare and benefits team who can advise you further about your options and refer you to Energy Projects Plus who can support you and advice with your energy bills. 

Martin Lewis has helpful tips and tricks on what to do if you are struggling with your energy bills click here for support

If you are struggling to heat your home during the day, there are warm hubs you can visit. Many offer users a hot drink, chat and often some activities (Book Swaps, Newspapers, puzzles) visit Wirral Info bank to find the nearest warm hub to you. 

Loan Sharks

Before you borrow money ensure you are borrowing from a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Registered provider.  Money lenders who aren’t authorised by the FCA are breaking the law. They are known as loan sharks.

Loan Sharks will often take advantage of people who are looking for quick cash loans (especially leading up to Christmas). You may feel under pressure to borrow money from them, but don’t be tempted!  They will often offer cash but then demand a huge amount of interest on your repayments, often taking other illegal action to collect the money they've lent you, such as threatening violence or taking away your credit cards or valuables.

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark:

• Did they offer you a cash loan?
• Did they not give you paperwork?
• Did they add huge amounts of interest or APR (annualised percentage rate) to your loan?
• Have they threatened you?
• Are you scared of people finding out?
• Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?

If you do owe money to a loan shark you can get help. Stop Loan Sharks can support you - they will investigate and prosecute a loan shark if they are reported. You can report a Loan Shark confidentially here.

Eating out?

With lots of activities and events happening for Christmas, there are lots of ways you can save money while still eating out.

You can find a range of restaurants which offer Kids Eat Free across the country on Money Saving Central website. 

Download the TooGoodtoGo app, this is available for everyone. You can save money while reducing waste. Many restaurants and cafés, including Starbucks, Costa and Toby Carvery, will offer food for a reduced price you just need to pick it up. You cannot choose the food which you get and will be a surprise! This is available all year round not just Winter. 

Visit your local Social Supermarket - with 100s across Wirral offering big brands for a reduced price find your local Social Supermarket here. This is available all year round not just Winter. 

School Uniforms...

Wirral FUSS, offer free school uniforms all you need to do is register your school, size and the items you need on their website here. You can also donate and recycle old uniforms to prevent them from going into landfill at your local drop-off point.

Magenta Connect 

 Why not get involved with our Magenta Connect projects with lots of vouchers, prizes and lots more, for completing short surveys.

Mental Health Support 

If you are struggling this winter don’t suffer in silence there are options for mental health through the Samaritans website here or call 116 123 (Open Monday to Sunday).

Local Social Supermarket 

Here is a handy list of local Social Supermarkets and their opening times across Wirral— 

Magenta Living has a team of advisors who are here to help you, by providing specialist support and advice on how you can better manage your money and help claim welfare support. Our inhouse Income Advice Team have recently accessed over £2.5million in unclaimed benefits and grants for our customers, that they didn’t know they were entitled to. To get started, use the benefits calculator below to check if you are entitled to any additional support and contact Magenta Living’s Income Team on 0808 100 9596 for assistance.

Benefits Calculator

We want to help you maximise your income and benefit entitlement and ensure you are in a good position to pay your rent, charges and household bills. Our easy-to-use ‘Benefit Calculator’ will provide you with information about benefits that you may be entitled to claim and give you the widest possible range of support. It will use the information that you provide to calculate your income and outgoings and help you plan from month to month, so you can really take control of your money and become financially stronger. You can access the calculator online using this link.

Income Team

Do you need help paying your rent? We are here to help you. If you are struggling to pay your rent or with your finances, please get in touch with your Income Officer as soon as possible – they can offer you advice and support. Your Income Officer will work with you to reach a solution. To speak to your Income Officer, contact Magenta Living’s Income Team on 0808 100 9596.

Housing Benefit

You may be able to claim housing benefits to cover some or all of your rent. Housing Benefit is provided by Wirral Council to help people with low income pay their rent. To make a claim, you need to fill in a Housing Benefit Form or contact our Income Team for advice at 0808 100 9596.

Universal Credit 

If there has been a change in your circumstances, and you need to claim Universal Credit, you can do this by visiting Universal Credit here.  Please inform us that you intend to make a Universal Credit claim as we can offer you advice and support, as well as agree on your next steps for paying your rent.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are payments that can be made in addition to the main Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if housing costs are paid. These payments can be made in some circumstances to help tenants who are experiencing financial hardship and need extra short-term financial help with their rent. The fund to make these payments is limited and demand often exceeds the available fund each year. An application can be made online at Discretionary Housing Payment here, and /or speak to your Income Officer on 0808 100 9596 who can help you complete the form.

Winter Fuel Payments

The Government have recently announced who will receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter is changing.  You will automatically receive the benefit if you are receive any of the following benefits— 

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Are You Missing Out on Pension Credit? Here's How It Can Help

Pension Credit is a valuable benefit that many people over State Pension Age are eligible for but thousands aren’t claiming. It’s designed to help those who need it most, if claiming the benefit you are also eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which can support heating costs during the colder months.

Claiming Pension Credit is simple. You can check your eligibility and apply by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), or you can start your application online on the Government website. It’s important not to miss out on this financial support if you qualify.

If you're worried about managing your finances, our Financial Inclusion Team is here to support you. We have helped customers access over £2.5 million in unclaimed benefits and grants, providing much-needed financial relief. For advice and support, contact us today at 0808 100 9596. You can also use our benefit calculator to see what benefits you could be entitled to.

Energy Project Plus

Energy Projects Plus can help you:

• Switch your energy tariff to ensure you are getting the best deal
• Help you apply for a Warm Home Discount 
• Help with installing energy-saving measures in our home
• Apply for funding for heating and insulation and support with fuel debt

For more information, call the Save Energy Advice Line on 0800 043 0151 or 0151 637 3670 or email advice@epplus.org or visit their website here.

Energy Support

If you're falling behind with your energy bills, and find yourself struggling to pay. The best thing to do is contact your supplier who is obliged to help, they will often offer a payment plan which you can afford. 

Big energy suppliers have charitable trusts and hardship funds to help if you're in debt and struggling to repay. In most energy firms you have to be a customer to apply for the hardship funds, however, British Gas offer help to non-customers as well.  if you need support with applying please visit National Energy Action. There are a few requirements however these are different depending on what provider you are with. 

To find your closest Warm Hub visit Wirral Info Bank for opening times and locations. 

Energy Saving Tips 

• Turn the thermostat down- Turning your thermostat down by 1° can save you up to £60 a year. 
• Swap energy-efficient LED lightbulbs
• Switch off and unplug- Ensure all appliances are switched off and unplugged instead of being left on standby this could save £55 a year.
• Defrost your fridge and freeze- The more ice in your freezer the increased energy it uses.
• Switch to eco settings on appliances- by switching to eco settings and doing one less wash a week, it will save £40 a year.
• Take a shorter shower -By reducing an eight-minute shower to four it can save £95 a year
• Move furniture away from radiators to allow heat to circulate in the room.
• Use a microwave or air fryer instead of an oven as they use less energy. 

For more energy-saving tips and tricks visit the Uswtich website here.

Food Banks 

Emergency food support is available for those who need it. You can request a foodbank voucher from Wirral Council (0151 666 5050) or Citizens Advice Wirral (08082 78 78 48). Wirral Food Bank has centres across Wirral, open Monday – Saturday. Details are available on Wirral Food Bank. They provide food for three-days. If you don’t have cooking facilities, they can provide food parcels, that require no cooking. and can provide more than food. Foodbank Plus is a service delivered on our behalf by Citizens Advice Wirral, it can offer help and advice with debts, benefits, and other matters. Food vouchers are available through frontline professionals, like doctors, health visitors, social workers and CItizens advice.

Social Supermarkets 

Social supermarkets sell food at a reduced rate which can help stretch your budget for you and your family. Please click here to find a social supermarket in your area.

You can also find a social supermarket online and delivered to your door here and get £5 off your first shop when you use the code Weclome5 at checkout.

Do you need help paying your rent? Are you struggling to pay your rent or worried about your day-to-day bills? If yes, please get in touch with your Income Officer as soon as possible – they can work with you to agree on a payment plan and offer advice and support on your daily budgeting. Contact your Income Officer on 0808 100 9596.

Debt

Debt Advice if you require Debt Advice please contact the National Debt line on 0808 808 4000 or Citizens Advice.  StepChange also offer Debt Help & Advice StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice.

If you require Gambling Support please visit Citizens Advice, or talk to someone online through the GamCare website here.

Beacon Counselling Trust also offer Gambling support here.

Further advice and support is available here:

Wirral Cost of Living

Cost of Living Guidance

Help for Households

Money Saving Expert

Family £1 Meal Plan

Wirral Infobank

Free school meals and uniform

Cold Weather Payment

Warm Hubs