Help with costs during school holidays

*PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS AN OLDER POST AND THERE MAY BE A MORE UP TO DATE POST, OR UPDATED INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ *

With the cost of energy and food so high right now, many parents are finding it difficult paying more for lunches and snacks whilst kids are home from school for the summer. It might feel like you have to make the difficult decision between putting food on the table or paying your energy bills, but our advice can help. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed but it’s always better to reach out for support early if you’re struggling, and there are things you can get help with. 

Help with living costs 

There is support available if you’re struggling with living costs, such as help with bills and rent, paying for food, health costs and transport costs. If you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits you could be entitled to free school meals, free transport to school for your child, or a grant to help with uniform costs. 

If you’re pregnant or have a child aged under 4, you could be eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme, which can be used towards buying fruit, vegetables and formula milk for your child. 

Check if you could increase your income 

It’s also worth checking you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. There are benefits calculators you can use online. On the Citizens Advice website, there’s advice on how to reduce living costs and information on other ways to increase your income. 

The school holidays can be a really tough time and we know the food shop isn’t stretching as far. Contact Wigan Council to find out what extra support you can get over the holidays. If you can’t afford to buy food, your local Citizens Advice can help you get a referral for a food bank.

If you’re on a prepayment meter 

If you’re on a prepayment meter, your energy supplier will be able to give you temporary credit if you can’t afford to top up your meter. They might add this to your meter automatically, but if they don’t, you can call them and ask them to do this. If you run out of temporary credit, speak to your supplier and ask them to do this. They may give you extra temporary credit if you’re struggling with living costs. 

There are other reasons why they might give you extra credit too, including if you’re disabled, have a long-term health condition, or you have children under the age of 5. You’ll have to pay back anything extra you get, but you can agree how to do this in a way you can afford with your supplier. 

Support from the government

While the cost of living is really high, there is help available. If you pay council tax and you’re in bands A-D, you should get a payment of £150 automatically. It could take until the end of September, but if you've not had it already you might need to make a claim. You can check how to do this on the Wigan Council website. You might also be able to get a fuel voucher, which you can use to add credit to your meter.

There’s more government support coming from October, including a £400 payment to help you with your energy bills. If you have a prepayment meter, you’ll be given vouchers in the first week of each month from October, via SMS text, email or post. Make sure your energy company has your up-to-date details.

We know this is an extremely worrying time and everyone’s situation is different. Don’t struggle alone. If you need further support, get in touch with us by filling in our online contact form.