Coronavirus Updates
Thursday 17th December 2020: It was officially announced today that Central Bedfordshire along with Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes will be moving into tier three levels of Covid-19 restriction from Saturday 19 December.
While we are very disappointed to hear of this news, we are still able to support you without any disruption to our current services.
Please email us or call us on 0300 303 6666 if you need any help and advice.
Read more about tier 3 and the specific restrictions on the Central Bedfordshire Council website.
We are here to help you during these difficult times.
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Help from your local council
Here are some useful links to websites and organisations for advice during the coronavirus crisis.
Regularly updated coronavirus information from Citizens Advice:
- Check what benefits you may be entitled to
- If you need help paying bills
- If you’re struggling with living costs
- If your employer tells you not to work
- If your partner makes you feel threatened/frightened
The Disability Resource Centre – The Disability Resource Centre is a local charity and has lots of information on their website. The team is contactable by telephone, email, Facebook Messenger, text, WhatsApp and you can chat directly to the team on their website.
Paying your utility bills
The Money Advice Service – Advice for those struggling to pay your gas or electricity bills
Npower – If you are an Npower customer and are struggling with your utility bills
EDF Energy – If you are an EDF Energy customer and struggling to pay your bills
British Gas Energy Trust – Help with your energy bills regardless of who your supplier is
Affinity Water – Help with your Affinity Water bill
UK Power Networks – Support for vulnerable people in the event of a power cut
Paying your rent or mortgage
The Money Advice Service – Help available to those with mortgages or paying rent
Help for the self employed
The Money Advice Service – Your rights if you are self employed
Benefits
Gov.uk – Claiming benefits if you find yourself out of work
Overdrafts/Credit Cards
Moneysavingexpert – Temporary measures to help with overdraft and credit card interest
Managing your money
The Money Advice Service – Help if you have reduced income/lose your job
Hardship Funds
Turn2us – The Turn2us website has a grants search facility alongside it’s benefits calculator
Disability Grants – Grants for disabled people
Glasspool – Grants to ease hardship
Moneysavingexpert – Grants for low income families
Donations
The Trussell Trust – If you can help by donating food or supplies to a food bank
Can you help?
The National Care Force is a nationwide network of care providers, healthcare workers and volunteers ready to support the most vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak. See the The National Care Force website for full details.