If you're finding it difficult to keep warm, get enough food or pay essential bills you may be able to get extra help this winter.
People in every part of East Sussex can apply for help from the Household Support Fund which makes £3.9 million available for residents most in need this winter.
If you are over 18 and receive benefits you can apply now for support from the borough or district council where you live.
To apply online or ask for help, contact your local council:
- Lewes and Eastbourne Councils - Household Support Grants - 01273 471600
- Hastings Borough Council - Household Support Fund - 01424 451066
- Rother District Council- Household Support Fund - 01424 787000
- Wealden District Council - Household Support Fund - 01323 443322
Other types of help on offer:
Warm Home Check
If you’re worried about keeping warm at home and you are on a low income, contact our Warm Home Check service: Keep warm and well
You may be able to get a free warm home check, with advice on how to keep your home warm and small energy efficiency improvements that can help you save money. Boiler service or repair, draught-proofing of doors and windows, supply of emergency temporary heaters and more may be possible.
Free school meals
Free school meal vouchers are on offer for children in families who qualify.
Vouchers can be claimed for two weeks over the Christmas holiday in December, for half-term in February 2022 and for the two-week Easter holiday in April 2022.
Your children’s school should keep you informed: speak to the school if you need more help.
See also: Free school meals
More details about the Household Support Fund
The Government’s Household Support Fund has allocated £3,896,783 to East Sussex for the period to March 2022.
- About half of the money will support families with children. This will include resources targeted to families that we already work with because they are in need and the cost of free school meals.
- About £750,000 will be shared among the five district and borough councils in East Sussex to help households in need meet basic costs.
- More than £1 million will support the work of foodbanks and other volunteer organisations in the county.
- Extra financial support is also being given to Citizens Advice and to the Warm Home Check service to help people under greatest pressure.
More 'Live' Bus Information Screens To Be Installed In West Sussex
Rare Bee Found In Lewes
Event Bookings Go Live For Worthing Festival ‘24
Man Charged After Throwing Brick Through Brighton Restaurant Window
Peacehaven Man Disqualified Over High-Speed A27 Pursuit Near Brighton
Appeal After PCSO Assaulted In Uckfield
Man Charged With Rape Of Teenage Girl In Newhaven
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre