Help and support we can provide with your living costs

Financial support

Household support Fund

The Household Support Fund is available to support families with children and individuals most in need. In Leicestershire, this government run scheme is managed by Leicestershire County Council. Eligible households will receive personalised vouchers to support them with the cost of electricity, gas or food.  

To apply for support, a referral must be made on your behalf, from a professional support worker or agency.  

More information on the Household Support Fund is available on the Leicestershire County Council website. Alternatively, you can contact our Community Support Hub who can offer you further advice.  

Please be aware that this is a new round of funding and even if you have applied in the past, you must submit a new application to be considered for this round. 

Apply for the Household Support Fund 

Cost of living support

We understand that there is a rise in the cost of living. If you are in need of urgent support you can request for help from us by completing the Cost of living support form online below.

The Cost of living support form can help with:

• Foodbank referrals
• Support with benefits
• Signposting to available support services
• Helping with referrals
• Digital support

You can also access support through My Account, along with multiple other council services.

Council Tax Support

Discretionary Housing Payments and Council Tax Support are short term awards for people in extreme financial hardship to help you meet your housing or Council Tax costs. You can find out if you qualify on our benefits webpages.

Pension Credit 

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.  

The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,900 per year and it opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.   

You can use the Pension Credit calculator (below) to find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get.

If you think you are eligible, you can find out more and apply for Pension Credit on the government website. You can also call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Pension Credit Calculator    Apply for Pension Credit

Food Bank

If you are in urgent need of food and supplies, please use the form above and we can arrange your referral to the local food bank, Storehouse, if appropriate. 

As well as offering food supplies to those most in need in our borough, Storehouse also has clothing, bedding, baby equipment and various household appliances and shelter bags for those who are sleeping rough.

They also offer hygiene facilities where our guests can shower and brush their teeth.

Homelessness or at risk

If you are worried about losing your home or are homeless then you should contact the Housing Options Team who can provide you with advice and guidance on what steps you should take. You can find out more information on our homeless or at risk webpages.

Mental Health support

Living with a mental health problem can sometimes feel like too much to cope with and make day-to-day activities difficult. There are lots of situations that can impact on how you feel, but we would like you to know that support is available, and you are not alone.

If you feel your mental health is suffering and you are struggling to deal with everyday situations it may be worth talking to your GP, family or friends.

Mental health and wellbeing support available in Melton.

Other available Support

There is also a variety of Cost of Living support available through central government and other organisations.

Additional support available.