The rising cost of everyday living is affecting us all. But as a Karbon customer you get access to free, independent support to help you through these difficult times. Lee Forrest, Manager of our Money Matters Team, explains.
You’ll have heard it on the news and seen at first-hand that the prices for everyday costs for energy, fuel and food are rocketing. The cost of living is increasing but we don’t want you at home worrying alone about it.
Our Money Matters Team are experts in benefits and money and are here to help. By working through things together now, we can help you get a head start on winter when you’ll be using more energy.
Here are just some of the ways the team can support you:
Managing your bills and budgeting
We’ll help you to work out where you can make savings on your bills and cut costs. Making a personal budget planner is a great first step towards taking control and is a really smart investment of your time. When you’re finished, you’ll know how much money you have left at the end of each month – and if you can make savings.
Rent
We do everything we can to make paying rent as easy as possible, finding a rent payment plan that fits best with your income and circumstances, and getting you set up with a direct debit so you never fall behind. Contact your dedicated Customer Accounts Officer on the usual number 0808 164 0111. Remember, you can also view rent statements and manage your payments all online with your MyKarbon account.
Debt advice
We’re part of the Money Advice Network so can get you debt advice quickly – sometimes on the same day. We can also advise on loan sharks and illegal lending and signpost you to trustworthy alternatives such as credit unions.
Discounts and grants
You could be eligible to save money on your household bills through various grants, discounts and deals. Here’s a few that you may be able to access:
One-off government grants
- £150 tax rebate if you pay council tax and live in council tax bands A to D. If you pay by direct debit, this will be paid automatically into your bank account by September. If you don’t pay by direct debit your council will be in touch with you as you will need to apply for the rebate, check your local authority website for how to apply.
- £400 energy bill payment for every household from October. Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.
- £650 cost of living payment to all households in receipt of means-tested benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make the payment in two lump sums – the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on tax credits only will follow shortly after each to avoid duplicate payments
- £300 extra cost of living payment for eligible pensioners, on top of the Winter Fuel Payment in November / December.
- £150 disability cost of living payment for people on eligible disability benefits in September.
If you’re eligible for a grant your council or provider will automatically carry out the payment or be in touch with you, you do not need to apply.
The council tax rebate is slightly different. For more information see www.tinyurl.com/costoflivinggrants
Beware of scammers - councils are responsible for processing your rebate or grants (not Karbon) but they don’t ask for bank account details over the phone - they will not ask for your name, bank number and sort code.
Household Support Fund
To support households with essentials such as food, utilities, and clothing. This has been extended until March 23 and each local authority makes its own decision on who qualifies and how the funds are distributed. Please contact your council about this.
Grants to help pay off your energy debts
Many of the major energy suppliers have hardship funds and grants that you can access, usually through their websites. Get in touch with your energy supplier if you are having difficulty paying for fuel or need help to clear debt.
Northumbrian Water Support Plus Tariff
Open to all customers who pay Northumbrian Water - reduce your water bill by up to 50%.
Access free energy advisors
The 'Powergrid Care Advisors' are free specialist energy advisors. They can help you with changing supplier, checking tariffs, solving billing issues and progressing concerns with your energy supplier. Contact them on 0800 448 0721.
Our advisors can work with you to check your eligibility for these grants and help to claim.
Benefits check
Our advisors can carry out a quick and free benefits check. Make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential income by coming to us for a quick and free benefits check. Our skilled advisers generate around £6 million per year in extra income for Karbon customers.
Call the Money Matters Team on 0808 164 0111 or email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk
Did you know?
Energy companies bill all customers standing charges, which are basically fees for using their equipment. This is separate to the cost of the actual fuel used. Even if you don’t use your heating or gas over the summer, you still have to pay the monthly charges – around £15 for electric and £11 for gas.
If you’re on a prepayment meter it’s important to be aware of these charges so you can keep your meter topped up even when not using very much fuel. That way you won’t rack up a debt to your energy company that comes as a nasty surprise in winter.
The rising cost of everyday living is affecting us all. But as a Karbon customer you get access to free, independent support to help you through these difficult times. Lee Forrest, Manager of our Money Matters Team, explains.
You’ll have heard it on the news and seen at first-hand that the prices for everyday costs for energy, fuel and food are rocketing. The cost of living is increasing but we don’t want you at home worrying alone about it.
Our Money Matters Team are experts in benefits and money and are here to help. By working through things together now, we can help you get a head start on winter when you’ll be using more energy.
Here are just some of the ways the team can support you:
Managing your bills and budgeting
We’ll help you to work out where you can make savings on your bills and cut costs. Making a personal budget planner is a great first step towards taking control and is a really smart investment of your time. When you’re finished, you’ll know how much money you have left at the end of each month – and if you can make savings.
Rent
We do everything we can to make paying rent as easy as possible, finding a rent payment plan that fits best with your income and circumstances, and getting you set up with a direct debit so you never fall behind. Contact your dedicated Customer Accounts Officer on the usual number 0808 164 0111. Remember, you can also view rent statements and manage your payments all online with your MyKarbon account.
Debt advice
We’re part of the Money Advice Network so can get you debt advice quickly – sometimes on the same day. We can also advise on loan sharks and illegal lending and signpost you to trustworthy alternatives such as credit unions.
Discounts and grants
You could be eligible to save money on your household bills through various grants, discounts and deals. Here’s a few that you may be able to access:
One-off government grants
If you’re eligible for a grant your council or provider will automatically carry out the payment or be in touch with you, you do not need to apply.
The council tax rebate is slightly different. For more information see www.tinyurl.com/costoflivinggrants
Beware of scammers - councils are responsible for processing your rebate or grants (not Karbon) but they don’t ask for bank account details over the phone - they will not ask for your name, bank number and sort code.
Household Support Fund
To support households with essentials such as food, utilities, and clothing. This has been extended until March 23 and each local authority makes its own decision on who qualifies and how the funds are distributed. Please contact your council about this.
Grants to help pay off your energy debts
Many of the major energy suppliers have hardship funds and grants that you can access, usually through their websites. Get in touch with your energy supplier if you are having difficulty paying for fuel or need help to clear debt.
Northumbrian Water Support Plus Tariff
Open to all customers who pay Northumbrian Water - reduce your water bill by up to 50%.
Access free energy advisors
The 'Powergrid Care Advisors' are free specialist energy advisors. They can help you with changing supplier, checking tariffs, solving billing issues and progressing concerns with your energy supplier. Contact them on 0800 448 0721.
Our advisors can work with you to check your eligibility for these grants and help to claim.
Benefits check
Our advisors can carry out a quick and free benefits check. Make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential income by coming to us for a quick and free benefits check. Our skilled advisers generate around £6 million per year in extra income for Karbon customers.
Call the Money Matters Team on 0808 164 0111 or email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk
Did you know?
Energy companies bill all customers standing charges, which are basically fees for using their equipment. This is separate to the cost of the actual fuel used. Even if you don’t use your heating or gas over the summer, you still have to pay the monthly charges – around £15 for electric and £11 for gas.
If you’re on a prepayment meter it’s important to be aware of these charges so you can keep your meter topped up even when not using very much fuel. That way you won’t rack up a debt to your energy company that comes as a nasty surprise in winter.
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