Your home
You do not have to be living on the street to be homeless.
- Housing
Get advice if you’re homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. You can also get support with housing issues, such as tenancy and mortgage worries. - East Sussex Floating Support Service
This service at BHT Sussex provides help for people 16 and over with housing needs and helps families to avoid homelessness. - Housing advice - ESTAR
ESTAR has some key advice to help you understand housing and your options. - Homeless Prevention Employment Support - ESTAR
This service helps people who are at risk of homelessmess to increase their income so they can stay in their existing acommodation.
Mortgage rates
Rising mortgage rates have an impact on mortgage and rent payments.
- Moneyhelper
Advice for home owners and buyers on keeping up with payments and what to do if your fixed rate is ending. - HM Treasury mortgage charter - GOV.UK
The mortgage charter sets out What help and support you can expect from mortgage lenders.
Household bills
Check the MoneySavingExpert website for guides and tools to help you get the best deals on your household bills.
Register for priority services
Did you know that power and water companies give priority help to some customers when services are interrupted? But first you need to register for this help.
People who may qualify include pensioners, families with children under five, people with disability, serious illness or mental health difficulty and people who rely on medical equipment or refrigerated medicine.
Either South East Water or Southern Water will be your water supplier:
- Register for Priority Services with South East Water
- Register for Priority Services with Southern Water
Energy
More than 3 million low-income households will get an automatic £150 payment from the government to help pay their energy bills over the winter:
The British Gas Energy Trust provides advice on energy and money. They also provide grants to families who are struggling with energy debt:
Water
In East Sussex, Southern Water and South East Water provide payment schemes and some customers are eligible for discounts:
Broadband
- Broadband social tariffs - Ofcom
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
Household Support Fund
Does your household need extra support?
If you’ll find it difficult to keep warm, get enough food or pay essential bills you may be able to get extra help.
Keeping warm
Keep warm and well in East Sussex is full of tips to help keep you warm and well at home. Eligible residents can also get a free warm home check:
You could be eligible for Government-funded energy efficiency upgrades to your home. There are many cold callers and scams around this subject so check if you qualify on the official Consumer Rights website:
Warm spaces in your community
Warm spaces are safe, warm, non-judgemental spaces where you can sit and be warm, work or study, have a hot drink and access advice about the cost of living.
To see what is on offer at a community venue near you, check out the national site:
Some local councils also have their own warm spaces directory: