Utilities
Green Doctor
Green Doctor energy advice service is provided by Groundwork Yorkshire. They offer free energy advice and assistance to vulnerable households.
The Green Doctor service aims to help households save money, increase energy efficiency and keep their homes warmer.
The assistance they offer includes:
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Checking if you are on the cheapest energy tariffs
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Installing free, simple energy saving measures which can save money on annual energy bills
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Giving day-to-day energy efficiency hints and tips and ensure your heating system is set up to keep you warm and save money
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Arranging free telephone advice service to help with benefits, debt and other money problems
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Referring you for further energy efficiency improvements, such as loft insulation or a new boiler
Eligibility for this service requires one of the following:
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Low income; receive tax credits
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Receive Housing Benefit
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Receive an income or disability related benefit;
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Have a long term illness or disability
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People aged over 65; and young people and families containing children under the age of 5.
Call freephone 0808 168 3547 or landline 0113 238 0601
freephone 0808 168 3547 or landline 0113 238 0601
Help for Households
If you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment to help with the cost of living. If you’re eligible, payments will be made automatically.
If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills.
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme, depending on where you live and what benefits you receive.
Find out about cost of living payments, as well as help with your water bill, phone and broadband and support from your local council.
Get 30 hours free childcare a week, save up to £2,000 a year with Tax-Free Childcare, and find support from your local council if you get certain benefits.
Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get, from Universal Credit to Pension Credit.
Save a third on rail journeys with a railcard, get 50% off travel if you’re on Universal Credit, or get a free bus pass if you’re disabled or over State Pension age.
Energy saving tips to save money
There are several simple, quick actions you can take that could add up to serious savings on your energy bills, alongside some home improvements to reduce your bills in the long term.
Help for Households - Get government cost of living support
Water -Help with payments
WaterSure
A bill cap scheme for customers who have a water meter, claim an income-based benefit, claim Universal Credit and need to use extra water because they have a medical condition or three or more children.
WaterSupport
A bill cap scheme for customers who have a low household income and their annual water bill is more than £350
Community Trust
A debt support scheme for customers who have have arrears with Yorkshire Water between £50 and £2000 and at least one priority debt.
Water Direct
A debt support scheme for customers who receive a deductible income-based benefit. We can take payments directly from your benefits. Less hassle, less worry!
Resolve
A debt support scheme for customers who are struggling to catch up on previous water bills. Our Resolve scheme could help you be debt-free so you can continue paying your water bill in affordable amounts.
Water meters
Depending on water usage and how many people are in your home, you could save money with a water meter.
Save water
A few small changes can make a difference and save lots of water, which will cut your utility bills.
Payment break
Can’t make this month’s payment? If your circumstances have changed and you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you’re concerned you might struggle in the future, please don’t worry.
You can apply for a payment break if:
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your income has stopped and you need to pause your payments
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your income has significantly reduced and you need to lower your payments for a while
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you're unable to get out to pay your bill.
Tel: 03451 299 299
open 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 3pm Saturday.
Yorkshire Water - Help paying your bill
Sheffield Local Assistance Scheme
The Local Assistance Scheme (LAS) provides:
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Sheffield Independence Grants to support Sheffield residents with independent living
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Sheffield Crisis Grants to support Sheffield residents in a crisis situation
These grants do not have to be repaid.
SHEFFIELD INDEPENDENCE GRANTS
Sheffield Independence Grants can be awarded under these criteria:
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Returning to the community from care
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Preventing a move into care
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Following a resettlement programme after an unsettled way of living
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Individuals and families experiencing exceptional pressures
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Looking after someone on temporary release from prison
We can also award for help with travel under these criteria:
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To ease domestic crisis
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To visit separated children pending a court decision
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To move to suitable accommodation
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To visit a sick relative or friend
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To attend a relative's funeral
If assistance is provided for removal costs, this will be paid directly to the removal company via BACS transfer.
Applications can take up to 15 working days to process (not including weekends or bank holidays).
If an award is made for a washing machine or either a gas or electric oven and you do not live in a Council tenancy, you will need to make your own arrangements for installation.
Good Internet deals
For those on benefits
Sometimes a 'newbie' deal can be comparable to these prices, but often with a big hike at the end of the year (or even mid-term contract) these deals are long term prices that won't increase suddenly at the end of the year. In many cases you will have to provide evidence that you are on a qualifying benefit.