Cost of living: here to help

Edition: March 2023

We are here to help residents who may be struggling with the rising cost of living.

As well as the £550k of funds dedicated to increased cost of living support in 2022/23, the Council has now made an extra £1.15million of funding available for the 2023/24 financial year.

We have collated lots of support that you can access on our website. This includes how to get help with food and essentials, fuel and heating, money and debt, pets and housing. It also links to Discretionary Housing Payments and help for businesses, charities and armed forces personnel.

Saving money on your energy bills

Saving energy is good for your pocket and the planet. Find useful tips for reducing your energy use at home, including a range of schemes and grants that could help you.

Face to face support

We recognise that digital support isn’t right for everybody. There are lots of friendly places around the District where you can drop in for
advice. We are continuing to run drop-in sessions in partnership with West Sussex County Council Partnerships and Communities team. These bring together help from a range of organisations all in one place. Sessions include representatives from Family Support Work charity), Community Link, Health and Wellbeing, Neighbourhood Wardens, Citizens Advice, Carers Support, Age UK, Horsham Matters, MIND, Relate and Job Centre teams, who can all give expert guidance.
Find out more information

Managing your money

We have funded Citizens Advice to employ two new advisors to support residents.

Citizens Advice can offer advice on money and debt and on what extra help you could get. Find them online or contact them via email, SignVideo, their website chat function, or through their Freephone Adviceline on 0808 278 7969.

Boosting our community partners

They are lots of fantastic charities providing immediate help through foodbanks and community fridges. The Council provided a total of £40k of funding in the 2022/23 financial year to the charity Horsham Matters to boost their foodbank provision and crisis support throughout 2023.

We have seen a dramatic increase in demand for our services over the past year. We are grateful for the Council’s extra funding ensuring that we can keep providing support to Horsham District residents.

Emma Elnaugh, Horsham Matters Managing Director