Winter Warm Spaces

Find details of warm spaces near you by visiting the Rural Coffee Caravan Club website.

Further information and support:

For key information and support relating to the Cost-of-Living crisis for residents across Ipswich take a look at our Cost of living support leaflet

The Suffolk County Council website has a dedicated page for Cost-of-Living support and a Cost-of-Living leaflet or visit Cost of Living Support - Ipswich-2023 (pagetiger.com)

Cost of Living support from UK Government can also be found at Help for Households

The Autumn 2023 Cost of Living payment update can be found here. 

Cost of living British Sign Language video.

Check benefits and financial support you can get

Find out what support you might be able to get to help with your living costs. You can get benefits and other financial support if you’re eligible.

You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. 

Surviving Winter Appeal

 The Surviving Winter Appeal by Suffolk Community Foundation passes on automatically generated winter fuel payments from those who don't need it to those who do. 

This annual support fund is available to residents across the whole of Suffolk with a payment of up to £175 towards fuel costs, or a delivery of fuel for households using Oil or LPG in their heating systems. 

The telephone number for the Surviving Winter team at Citizens Advice to request help is 01473 298634 or visit Surviving Winter – Citizens Advice Ipswich for further information.

Energy saving advice

Citizens Advice offers Energy Saving Advice. View their latest Energy Saving advice here: 

Citizens Advice Ipswich shares tips for how to save money on your energy bills

For extra care support from Anglian Water visit: Anglian Water care

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits find out more at: Ofcom - cheaper broadband and phone packages

Find out more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme (for low income and vulnerable households) at: www.gov.uk/check-if-you-are-eligible

Social tariffs

‘Social tariffs’ are available for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits, with some providers offering deals from as low as £10 a month.

This could represent a saving of around £202 per year.

Household Support Fund

The Housing Support Fund is a Government funded scheme.

The fund can assist with rent, and service charges if you are struggling with housing costs.

Help with food

List of Pop Up Shops and Food Banks in Ipswich

Ipswich Top Up Shops

Families In Need (FIND) Ipswich

Families in Need (FIND) Ipswich offers a lifeline to people in Ipswich and the surrounding areas who are experiencing poverty and despair – providing food and other household items for 30 years.

Last year, FIND moved to a new food bank headquarters next to Gainsborough Sports Centre which enabled it to meet the growing needs of the community.

All the people who receive food parcels are referred by local and regional agencies such as local councils, schools, GPs, support workers and the Police. Read more about the referring agencies that can help you access this support.

Community support

Anglia Care Trust has produced a guide for reducing everyday living costs

Meet Up Mondays are being held at a number of pubs and venues in Ipswich. For more information, visit: Meet Up Mondays

For more information on the Top up shops in Ipswich visit: Home | Ipswich Top Up Shop

Budgeting and finances

Money Helper advice is available at: Money Navigator Tool

Do you know how much you are spending vs how much money you bring home? Use a basic budget planner or this more detailed Income and Expenditure spreadsheet  to record everything that goes in and comes out. This may be useful for creating and keeping track of your weekly/monthly budget.