Money, Benefits and Debt
Get help with the cost of living
Summary
You might be able to get a referral to a food bank. You might be able to use a community food service to get free or low cost food. These can be called a community larder, pantry, fridge or shed. To find out if there’s a community food service near you, you can: You might be able to get help paying for NHS charges, for example: * sight tests, glasses and contact lenses If you can’t get help to pay for your prescriptions, you might be able to save money by buying a prepayment certificate. You’ll pay a fixed price for either 3 or 12 months. This will cover the cost of all the prescriptions you need during that time. You can buy a prepayment certificate for unlimited prescriptions for: * £114.50 for 12 months - you can pay this in 10 instalments of £11.45£11.45 If you already have a prepayment certificate for other medicines, it covers the cost of your HRT. If you only need a certificate for HRT, you might be able to save money. You can get an HRT prescription prepayment certificate - it costs £19.80 for 12 months. The certificate only covers certain HRT medicines. Check if your HRT medicine is covered on the NHS website. If you have HRT medicines that aren’t covered, you’ll have to.
Key information
- find your nearest Citizens Advice
- contact your local council
- sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
- £114.50 for 12 months - you can pay this in 10 instalments of £11.45£11.45
- unemployed and looking for work
- you’re aged 18 to 24 and you’ve been getting the benefit for between 3 and 9 months
- you’re aged 25 or over and you’ve been getting the benefit for between 3 and 12 months
- get certain means-tested benefits
- live close to one of their hospitals or clinics
- activities and the chance to learn new things
- a place to meet people in your community
- access to the internet and help to use a computer
Practical guidance
- Source: Get help with the cost of living
Related topics
More in this area
Sources
- Citizens Advice — Get help with the cost of living
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.