Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you're unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It's being replaced by Universal Credit for most people.
You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you have reached State Pension age or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
Housing Benefit on arun.gov.uk
Council Tax Reduction is a discount that helps people on a low income or claiming certain benefits pay their Council Tax.
The size of the discount will depend on your weekly income (including Universal Credit).
You can claim the discount if you are of working age or pension age, but the eligibility rules differ for each group.
Council Tax Reduction on arun.gov.uk
You could get £86.45 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer's Allowance.
You get Child Benefit if you're responsible for bringing up a child who is:
Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.
There's no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.
The DLA rate is between £30.30 and £194.60 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.
Disability Living Allowance on gov.uk
If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
You can get PIP even if you're working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
If you are in severe financial difficulty and you already receive Council Tax Reduction (CTR) you can apply for CTR-DA. CTR-DA can cover the shortfall between your CTR and your weekly Council Tax charge.
Apply for CTR-DA on arun.gov.uk
The Crisis and Resilience Fund supports a wide range of low-income households in West Sussex.
You do not need to receive benefits to get support.
The CRF can help with:
Crisis Resilience Fund on westsussex.gov.uk
CRF-HP is short-term financial help with rent or housing costs, such as rental shortfall, removal expenses, and rent in advance.
You must be living in the Arun area to claim with us, and you must receive either Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit.
Crisis Resilience Fund - Housing Payment on arun.gov.uk
If you are experiencing severe financial difficulty, we may be able to help with a discretionary reduction in your Council Tax.
Before applying, please check whether you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction (CTR), as this is the main scheme that helps people on a low income with their Council Tax.
Council Tax discretionary relief on arun.gov.uk
If you are fleeing Domestic Abuse, you can apply for the Home Office's Flee Fund (up to £500) and Future Fund (up to £2,500) directly through Women's Aid. Or you can go to any branch of TSB to ask for the Flee Fund.
The rise in the cost of living is adding further pressure to household finances. We want to make sure that our residents know about the local support available.
You'll find details of some of the many local organisations that offer free help and advice on our cost of living support page.
Founded by a parent of a disabled child, Disability Grants is a free resource providing information on grants and other support available to disabled people and their families, including advice on applying for funding.
Family Fund helps families raising disabled and seriously ill children thrive by providing grants, practical support, and a powerful voice in shaping the services they rely on.
Discover grants you could be missing out on with Turn2us's free search tool, matching you to funding you may be eligible for.
You can speak to Citizens Advice online about debt. Chat is usually available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm Saturday. It's not available on public holidays.
Chat online at citizensadvice.org.uk
National Debtline is a trusted debt advice charity offering free, independent support. You can talk to them online or on the phone.
Find out more at nationaldebtline.org
Professional agencies can apply for their Flexible Frontline Fund to provide your resident with white goods, beds, and baby supplies.
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership)
LEAP is a free energy and money saving service providing help and support to vulnerable residents. LEAP offers practical home energy advice, small energy savings measures, support with energy bills and suppliers, money saving advice, and wider support to improve overall wellbeing.
Eligibility criteria: resident may be eligible if they:
Residents can self-refer or be referred by us. Phone 0800 060 7567 or visit www.applyforleap.org.uk
My Sister's House are a community-based organisation that provides support, resources, and services specifically tailored to the needs of women.
They aim to empower women, promote equality, and address challenges such as domestic abuse, poverty, mental health, and employment barriers.
Email: office@mysistershouse.info
Phone: 01243 697800
The Royal British Legion is working hard to support the most vulnerable of the Armed Forces community in our society, be it older veterans they care for, those who suffer from social isolation, or those who are overwhelmed by the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.
Contact the Royal British Legion at britishlegion.org.uk
The SSAFA charity provides trusted support to serving personnel, veterans and their families, helping them through times of need in Sussex, across the UK and around the world.
Phone 0800 260 6780 or visit ssafa.org
The Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), a national law enforcement agency, investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders. They are there to help you and keep you safe.
Visit stoploansharks.co.uk