We have worked with the Independent Food Aid Network, Transformation Cornwall, the Trussell Trust and other partners to provide information for anyone experiencing financial hardship.
Please see the information below which can help you find the support you could be entitled to.
You can use the interactive version which takes you through 3 steps. Please note this may not be accessible for screen readers.
I suddenly have no money
- Lost job/reduced hours
- Lost money/unexpected expense
- Disaster (e.g. flood or fire)
- Relationship breakdown
- Money stopped (e.g. failed a medical)
Some options to consider
I am waiting on a benefit payment/decision
- I made a new claim for benefit
- or my benefit payment is delayed
- I'm waiting for a benefit decision
Some options to consider
My money doesn’t stretch far enough
- Deciding between food/fuel/mobile credit
- Low income or zero/low hours contract
- Statutory Sick Pay too low to cover costs
- Facing redundancy
- Not sure if eligible for support
- Change of circumstance (e.g. new baby/bereavement/illness/left partner)
Consider maximising your income
Anyone who is struggling financially can get a benefit check.
A benefit check can ensure that you are receiving all the money you’re entitled
to, especially if your circumstances have changed recently.
There’s no limit to how many hours you can work. Your Universal Credit does not stop if you work more than 16 hours a week.
Use our benefits and budgeting calculator to see how increasing your hours or starting a new job could affect what you get.
Using our online tool could also help you save money on things like gas and electricity and make sure you’re not missing out on things like charitable grants or free school meals.
Revenues and Benefits will use information you share with the Council from Policy in Practice's Better Off Calculator to help identify what benefits or support schemes you may be eligible for.
This information may be shared with other Cornwall Council departments including those dealing with housing and social care support.
Each calculation shared with Cornwall Council will be assessed on a case by case basis to decide if to share with other departments for this purpose.
The Help for Households section on the GOV UK website has useful information about help with
- transport costs
- childcare payments
- finding work
- and energy-saving tips
Support for additional housing costs
You may be able to get support for additional housing costs if you're already claiming Housing Benefit or receiving help with your rent through Universal Credit.
Council support schemes for housing
Get help with interest payments on mortgages or loans
If you’re a homeowner on qualifying benefits, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home.
Check if you're eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest
95% mortgages for homes up to £600,000
You may be eligible to borrow up to 95% of the cost of a property worth up to £600,000 thanks to the mortgage guarantee scheme.
Find out more about the mortgage guarantee scheme
Individual support
Extra money available for carers
You could get £81.90 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and the person you care for gets certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Check if you're eligible for the Carer's Allowance
Pension Credit for those on low income
You could get extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, even if you have savings or own your own home.
Check if you're eligible for Pension Credit
Find out about what Cornwall Council benefits or short-term grants you may be eligible for;
0300 1234 121 (chose option 2)
Older people
For older people, claiming Pensions Credit is important. If you are entitled, it opens the door to a lot of other help.
The National Age UK website has specific advice for older people, including advice on energy bills.
Benefits for autistic adults
Some benefits are paid to meet basic living costs, some are paid for specific expenses such as rent, other benefits are paid if you meet certain criteria such as being in full-time work.
Find out more from the Autism.org
Cost of living advice for people with learning disabilities
Find support from Learning Disability England
Learning Disability England website
Or the Mencap website
Cost of living support on the Mencap website
Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
Check if you're eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Check if you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme
Support for families
Free school meals
Find out if you are eligible and how to make an application.
Find out about free school meals
Help with childcare costs
You may be eligible for funding to help with your child care costs. Find out about the various funding options and whether your child is eligible.
Claim Healthy Start vouchers
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
Check if you're eligible for Healthy Start
Holiday activities and food programme
The Time2Move Holiday Programme will offer fun physical activities, games and wider activities plus a meal for all children.
Activities take place across the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.
All children aged 5 to 16 are welcome to attend and it is completely free for children that are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals.
The activities are all delivered by approved providers with the main focus on fun and enjoyment.
Find out more about Time2Move
Get help with maternity costs
You could claim a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.
Check if you're eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant
Help with transport costs
Save a third on rail journeys
You can get up to a third off train fares with a railcard in Great Britain. Most railcards are priced at just £30 for 1 year or £70 for a 3 year railcard. Typically, the cost of your railcard will have paid for itself after one or two trips.
Save one third on rail journeys with a railcard
50% off travel if you're on Universal Credit
You may be eligible for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card if you're on Universal Credit.
Find out more information on the National Rail website
Bus passes
In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age.
Apply for an older person's bus passIf you’re disabled then you may be eligible for a disabled person’s pass if you live in England.
Apply for a disabled person's bus pass
Health
You may be able to get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with other NHS costs.
Use the NHS tool to see what help you could get
Get help looking for jobs
You can search and apply for jobs across a range of industries across the UK through our Find a job website.
Search and apply for jobs
Personalised job support
You can get personalised support, tips and advice to find your next opportunity through JobHelp.
Get support, training and advice on finding your next job
Extra support for working families
The Flexible Support Fund is available to those on Universal Credit and can help pay for things you need to get into work and progress your career, such as initial childcare costs, training, uniforms and work tools. Your Universal Credit work coach will be able to give you more information.