Cost of living advice and information now available

Increases in the cost of food, fuel and utilities are affecting many households in Shropshire.

To help, Shropshire Council has brought together a number of useful links, tips and pointers on where and how people can find help across the county (http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help/ ).

Cost of living help

This will help people see the range of services on offer from the council and other organisations. This includes a benefits calculator so that people can check whether they’re getting the benefits they’re entitled to, advice about energy bills and reducing energy costs from the Marches Energy Agency, as well as information from Citizens Advice about how to manage debt.

The council also recently announced that every household in council tax bands A to D will receive £150 rebate towards rising energy costs, to be paid from April 2022. To find out more about this people can visit the council’s website (https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/council-tax/energy-bills-rebate/) and Newsroom (https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2022/03/council-tax-direct-debit-energy-rebate/ ).

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said:-

“We know that this is a worrying time for everyone as the cost of living continues to increase.

“You’re not alone. We’re working with many organisations to make sure there’s a range of help and advice available both from the council and many other organisations here in Shropshire.

“If you haven’t already, please also make sure that you set up a Direct Debit to pay your council tax. This will ensure that you get your £150 rebate towards energy bills as quickly as possible.”