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 for some of the many local organisations that offer free help and advice on this page.
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs help with food, please see the information below or contact us so we can put you in touch with the relevant local service.
Need an emergency food voucher? Please contact the Citizens Advice Help Through Hardship helpline:
Funding to support low-income households with the rising cost of living, including energy, food and essential bills. Call 0330 222 7980 to check if you are eligible for support or if you have an urgent need, for example if you are going to run out of food, medicine or essential supplies within the next three days.
There are a number of local organisations that provide help with food and groceries, and not all need referrals.
The Hope Centre, Saint Wilfrid Church, Ellasdale Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DY
Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Foodbanks provide food parcels and support to anyone who is facing a financial crisis and has little or no money. A referral is needed to access the foodbank.
Opening times:
Contact information:
Rear hall - Littlehampton United Church, 1 High Street, Littlehampton BN17 5EG
Opening times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm.
Rustington Church Hall, 77 The Street, Rustington, BN16 3NR
A space where people can top up their food supplies - no referral needed. Fresh, frozen and long life - a mixture of donations and surplus from businesses.
St James' Church Hall, 1 East Ham Road, Littlehampton BN17 7AN
Anyone may take five items per adult per day (plus bread). It costs nothing, all the food is rescued and needs a home to stop it being wasted.
A leading environmental and social impact charity dedicated to preventing food waste and food insecurity. By enriching and educating our communities we help nurture those most food insecure to live well, age well and to help combat social isolation.
Independent, impartial, free, confidential advice to provide the advice people need for the problems they face. This can be via phone, via email or in person.
Increasing the energy efficiency in your home will help make it warmer, cheaper to run and help lower your contribution to climate change. If your home is too cold, hot or damp this can harm your health and worsen any existing health conditions.
The council can advise on local and national grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Help is also available for those on the lowest incomes and with health conditions if they are without heat and/or hot water. Contact the Home Energy Officer:
To discuss your bill or seek if you are entitled to any support.
If you are in receipt of a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings and investments, you may be eligible for help from Council Tax Reduction (CTR).
For pensioners, any entitlement will depend on your household income including money from state and private pensions.
Working age claimants may be eligible for help if they have less than £6,000 in savings and a household income of less than £462.99 per week. Income includes, state benefits, tax credits, earnings, child maintenance and any other incoming money.
Customers already getting Council Tax Reduction who have severe financial difficulties can apply for a one-time discretionary payment, Council Tax Reduction Discretionary Relief.
For more information on Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Relief and the online claim forms, please visit our website:
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you have less than £16,000 savings and are on a low income or claiming certain benefits. You can only make a new claim if you have either reached State Pension age or you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
For more details and to access the online claim form, visit
Housing Benefit | Arun District Council
If your rent is more than your housing benefit or housing element of Universal Credit and you can't pay, we may be able to help you for a few months whilst you either seek affordable accommodation or a permanent means of paying your shortfall. This is called Discretionary Housing Payment. It can also help with removal costs and rent in advance if moving within Arun or out of the area.
For more details and to access the online claim form, please visit
If you need to contact the Revenues and Benefits team about any of the above, the quickest way is to email us at the below address, making sure you give us your name and address so that we can get back to you.
If you have Council Tax arrears and can't pay in full, please complete our online financial questionnaire. We can work out an affordable payment arrangement, let you know if you are entitled to any discounts or Council Tax Reduction and also provide you with details of independent organisations who can assist with financial problems. For example debt advice, maximising your income, budgeting, benefits, grants etcetera.
Our aim is to help people improve their health, but it's a happy coincidence that making healthy lifestyle choices can also improve your finances.
These are all things that can reduce your risk of developing heart or lung disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia and some cancers.
Making small lifestyle changes can not only improve your health, it could make your bank balance healthier too.
For example, if you smoke 10 to 15 cigarettes a day you could be spending up to £75 per week, which would add up to a massive £3900 per year.
That money could take pressure off you and help to:
The good news is that if you want to make a lifestyle change, Arun Wellbeing can help. It's free, friendly and local. You can self-refer by visiting www.arunwellbeing.org.uk/WellbeingReferral or contact us for more information: