ONLINE ACCOUNT | We have made some improvements to our Online Portal. If you are struggling to access it, you may need to reset your password or reregister for an online account. For more information, visit torus.co.uk/portalupdate.
Torus Foundation have linked up with Lightning Reach, a portal that makes it easy for people to search for grants.
If you're looking for support to help pay for an expensive or unexpected cost (e.g. food/utility bills, disability adaptations, replacement furniture/white goods) you may be able to make use of the free online portal from Lightning Reach.
Following a simple 10-15 min questionnaire, you'll be connected to financial support from various sources, quickly and securely. This may include grants from charities, funding from your local council or support with your utility bills. You can apply for multiple sources of support without repeating information.
Head to the Lightning Reach portal and see what support you may be eligible for.
Click on the video from Lightning Reach that also shows how easy it is to use the grant finder.
Need more support, contact Torus Foundation
If your income has reduced, you may be eligible for support in paying your council tax. If you are already claiming but your income has changed, you will need let your council know there has been a change of circumstances so they can re-assess your claim.
Visit your local authority website:
Liverpool devolved councils (Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, Liverpool) – to find your council visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
WASH is a free support service providing advice to vulnerable householders living in England on their energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home as well as information for frontline workers on current advice agency and fuel supplier support for customers in relation to Covid-19. They offer telephone and online support for householders who are struggling with their energy bills.
For more information, please visit www.nea.org.uk/advice/make-a-referral.
You can also email donna.senghore@nea.org.uk or call 0800 304 7159.
Source: National Energy Action (NEA), the leading fuel poverty and energy efficiency charity.
Royal British Legion have launched their Cost-of-living Grants programme which is open to anyone who has served in the armed forces. The grant can help with kitchen appliances, clothes and energy costs.
Find out more about the grant and how to apply, as well as information on other support and grants on British Legion website.
Free TV Licences, funded by the Government, for all over 75s ended in July 2020.
From 1 August 2020 anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit will be eligible to apply for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC. Pension Credit can be in the name of the licence holder, or in their partner’s name if they are a couple living at the same address.
Click here to find out more about the changes and how you could claim Pension Credit to still be able to claim a free TV licence, amongst other benefits.
School uniforms can be expensive - and that's why some local authorities offer struggling parents a grant to cover some of the cost. You could get up to £150 to put towards your child's school uniform, but the amount varies depending on which council area you live in. Find out more on gov.uk.
Also check out local uniform swapping groups in your local community, you can usually find them on Facebook.
People on Universal Credit can get low cost connections from providers:
Other options out there right now are similarly priced, but are not as widely available, including local provider Hyperoptic and KCOM.
A new service run by DWP, will allow internet service providers to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they are in receipt of a relevant benefit and therefore eligible for extra financial support.
The Government has called on all broadband providers to offer and promote social tariffs - discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit and other benefits.
The scheme is already supported by Virgin Media O2 who have announced that they will use the system to verify eligible customers signing up to their Essential Broadband tariff. The company will also waive early termination fees for those moving from existing tariffs.
Customers on social tariffs could in some cases save over £100 a year. The new system will simplify the process of getting a social tariff by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month.
Support to help with the increasing cost of your bills
Top tips to help save you money on your outgoings