Support with rising living costs

We know this is a challenging time with increasing costs for everyone. This page has lots of advice and support that might help - if you do need help, please ask for help

Rising mortgage interest rates 

• Rising mortgage rates have become a concern for many in recent weeks. If you are coming off a fixed deal or you are on a variable rate and are facing a significant rate rises - there are currently two key pieces of advice:

  • Talk to your mortgage provider as early as possible to discuss the options - they may be able to offer you some options to reduce your payments - such as extending your mortgage term or moving temporarily to interest only. 

  • Look at the Govenment's SMI (Support for Mortgage Interest) scheme. This scheme offers help in paying the interest on your mortgage for up to £200,000 of the loan (or £100,000 if you are on Pension Credit or already on certain benefits). THIS SUPPORT IS A LOAN, which you will have to pay back. You must check out the details of the scheme in full to see if ot is suitable for you, if you qualify, how to claim and what you pay back and when. 

Household Support Fund

• Find out if you qualify for help from the Household Support Fund - if you are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials, even temporarily - or have an urgent one off cost (boiler, cooker, fridge etc.). You can apply on our Household Support Fund webpages. For other financial support and advice please go to our Cost of Living financial support page. 

Pension Credit

• Pension Credit is not only a vital monetary support for those over state pension aid, it is also a gateway benefit to enable those who qualify to get access to a range of other benefits such as Cost of Living Payments and Housing Benefit. Find out more and apply on the Government's Department of Work and Pensions website www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

Check out your kids' immunisation status

Now it's the Summer Holiday break, you have plenty of time to check that you kids are all up to date with their immunisations. So dig out their Red Book or check with your GP and then catch up if they've missed any - there's no time like the present! You can find details about all infant and childhood vaccinations - go to the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

Other help and support

• Kingston Citizens Advice Bureau toolkit - Information and advice to help local people cope with the cost of living increases. Find out more by calling 020 3166 0953.
• Connected Kingston - Connected Kingston is a site dedicated to helping Kingston residents find local activities and navigate local services. It is run by the council and Kingston Voluntary Action in conjunction with local charities and statutory organisations.
• MoneyHelper.org.uk is a government-backed website run by The Money Advice Service, Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. it is packed full of money advice, you can chat online with them and there is a FREE debt Advice Locator , where you can choose advice online, on the telephone and in person in your area. 
• Worrying About Money -  If you or someone you support are facing money worries or financial crises, you can find information about where to get support locally and nationally. You can also download a copy of the Worrying About Money leaflet
• Find out more about free and low-cost Health and Wellbeing exercise classes in your area on our Health and Wellbeing pages at www.kingston.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-1/health-wellbeing-events