Paying for food, energy and water
Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme
The discretionary scheme provides emergency support for food, energy, or other essential needs through vouchers, food parcels from local community food banks or credit for energy services.
To apply for support, call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 408 1448 or 01926 359182 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.30pm on Friday.
Funding is available from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Download the leaflet.
Act on Energy
Act on Energy can help with financial support toward current energy debts and assistance to repair or replace broken boilers and heating systems.
Act on Energy has a freephone advice line and Community Outreach Officers who offer home visits and can install various small energy-saving measures. They also assist with applications for energy efficiency grants to help keep your home warmer and reduce your bills. A benefit and financial welfare check can also help those struggling with the cost of living.
You can call the Advice Team on 0800 988 2881, or visit Act On Energy.
Rugby Foodbank
Rugby Foodbank provides three day emergency food parcels for residents struggling to put food on the table.
Food parcels contain nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried foods which can be adapted to suit dietary needs, such as gluten intolerant or allergies.
Usually, the foodbank can also provide additional items for babies, such as nappies and baby food.
Rugby Foodbank operates a referral scheme, working with a wide range of care professionals who issue foodbank vouchers to people in need. Care professionals partnered with Rugby Foodbank include doctors, health visitors, social workers and Rugby Citizens Advice.
Contact Rugby Foodbank on 07557 680019 or visit the Rugby Foodbank website.
Free school meals
Low-income families receiving a qualifying benefit, such as Income Support or Universal Credit, can apply for free school meals for children during term-time.
Warwickshire County Council offers the free school meals scheme, check your eligibility and apply online.
Visit the Warwickshire County Council website.
Severn Trent
Visit the Severn Trent website to find out more about support to pay your water bill.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
Learn more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have reached State Pension age and have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It is not means-tested, what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you receive.
See if you are eligible and apply at GOV.uk.
Carer's Allowance
You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits.
Make a claim at GOV.uk.
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. If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as Housing Benefit and Winter Fuel Payment.
See if you’re eligible and to make a claim at GOV.uk, or call Pension Credit claim line on 0800 991 234.
Rugby Borough Council Discretionary Awards
The council has a limited amount of money to provide extra help to pay your rent or council tax, for a limited time (usually up to three months). The awards are intended to help you adjust to a change in your circumstances or to meet a short-term issue.
To be eligible for discretionary housing payment, you must be entitled to either housing benefit or universal credit with a housing costs element.
To be eligible for discretionary council tax payment, you must be named on the council tax bill at your address and be in severe financial hardship. You must also have a shortfall in your rent or council tax payments.
Apply for Discretionary Awards.