Ways to help you and your finances

• You can apply for benefits through the Calderdale Council website Apply for Benefits | Calderdale Council (custhelp.com)
• You can see what benefits you are entitled to at entitledto.co.uk
• If you’re on means-tested benefits and on a low income, your child may qualify for free school meals.
  
• Winter Fuel Payments are available for those who have reached pensionable age. These payments are available to help with fuel bills and are for those who are eligible.
• You may be entitled to the Warm Homes Discountwhich would offer you up to £140 off your electricity bills for the winter.
• Some people may also be eligible for Cold Weather payments,which means that if the average temperature in your area falls below zero degrees for seven days consecutively, then you could be eligible for £25 per seven days.
• Step Change provide help and advice for people who are in debt
• Citizens Advice have devised a useful tool to help you find out if you’re entitled to Pension Credits.
  
• Yorkshire Water customers can order a free water saving kit to help save water and money on your water bills
• You can use Citizens Advice, who issue free advice on all things that matter to you.
• The Money Advice Service will offer you help, advice and tools to help you manage your money.
• The NHS website offers advice and tips about who is eligible for free prescriptions and how you can apply for them.
• Many people will be entitled to a free TV Licence, including those receiving pension credits, blind or severely impaired people and others.
• ​Shelter is a charity that helps people in housing need by providing advice and assistance.
• The Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis’ website provides details and tips about all issues including bills, mobile phone contracts and information for students.
• Carers UKprovide information and help to manage your bills.
• Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees can offer help and advice about what benefits you might be entitled to as well as help with energy advice.
• National Energy Action are a national fuel poverty charity working to ensure everyone in the UK is safe and warm in their homes.
• If you are a small business owner, Calderdale Council offer free advice drop-in sessions Free advice drop-ins for Calderdale businesses | News Centre – Official news site of Calderdale Council
• Turn your thermostat down. For each degree you cut the thermostat, expect to cut bills by 4%-ish, or about £100 a year on average for a typical home. The World Health Organisation says that 18 degrees are enough for healthy adults, with slightly higher temperatures needed for the very old or young. So consider popping on a jumper at home and seeing what temperature your household is comfortable at.
• Use energy-saving lightbulbs. LED uses about half the energy of the bigger fluorescent spiral ‘energy-saving bulbs’. Turning them off when you’re not in the room helps too. There will be an initial outlay, but you should recoup it fairly quickly
• Draught proof your home. Walk around your home spotting window and door draughts. Decent draught-proofing can cut 2% off energy bills, so about £50 a year on average for a typical home. This applies to chimneys too, where you can get a 1.5%-ish further reduction.
• Calderdale Council have a very handy guide on what you are able to do to maximise your income and other support options at Money and Wellbeing in Calderdale | Calderdale Council
• Noah’s Ark Services offer money advice and help with tackling debt problems aswell as offering counselling and running a food bank in the North Halifax area available to those who need it most
• All the Food Banks in the Calderdale area can be seen here for those struggling to put food on the table Food support | Calderdale Council. The largest of the food banks is at Ebenezer Church in Halifax town centre, which offers free food parcel collection aswell as free food in their café.

Mental health help

If you are struggling or feeling low there are lots of services available to help you out during this difficult time.

If you need more urgent attention, please contact your GP or contact The Samaritans of Halifax and Calderdale.

There is a 24 hour mental health helpline 08001830558 offering confidential help and advice, to anyone registered with a GP in Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield, Leeds and Barnsley.

The service can support people who are:

• At risk of developing mental health problems
• Diagnosed common mental health problems
• Known to mental health services
• Experiencing mental health distress
• Seeking information, advice and support

Every Mind Matters – Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

If you are under 18, you can reach out to Child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) (Calderdale) – South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Support at work

Trade Union Congress (TUC) On average union members get higher pay, better sickness and pension benefits, more paid holiday and more control over things like shifts and working hours. This is because workers join together to negotiate pay and conditions rather than leaving it up to managers.

GMB Union is a trade union that represents all workers. They have over 500,000 members who work in every type of job imaginable across public services and in private companies too.

UNISON is the UK’s largest union, serving more than 1.3 million members. They represent full-time and part-time staff who provide public services, although they may be employed in both the public and private sectors.

Unite the Union’s vision is of a prosperous society in which employers and employees work together to build successful businesses and safe, healthy working environments.

USDAW is the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. They provide advice and representation to workers in many different workplaces.