If you need a food parcel, please get in touch with the Financial Inclusion team on 0300 3300 900 extenstion7305 or please email myadvice@havebury.com
Free Christmas dinner for those spending Christmas Day alone
This Christmas, Bury St Edmunds Town Council is supporting local residents who are living alone. A free heat-at-home Christmas dinner will be delivered to anyone spending Christmas Day alone within the Bury St Edmunds area (IP32/IP33). You can make a referal here: Reducing isolation with food | Abbeycroft Leisure
Salvation Army Christmas – Haverhill
The Salvation Army in Haverhill will be open on Christmas Day for those people who may be spending it alone. There will be a Christmas Day service from 10.30 am followed by coffee at 11 am and a roast dinner at 12.15 pm.
If you would like to book, please call Sue 07783089468
Food banks over Christmas
Open until 24th December
Reopens 2nd January
Christmas food hubs offering emergency food parcel , but no hot meals, no appointment needed.
• Friday 27th December (2-4 pm) Chalkstone Community Centre
• Tuesday 31st December (2-4 pm) Chalkstone Community Centre
For food parcels Phone: 0800 009 6710 or Email: info@reachhaverhill.org.uk
Open until 12 on Christmas Eve
Opening as normal 30th December
Closed New Years Day
Normal opening times – Monday-Friday 9am–2pm
Open for emergencies on Tuesday 24th December, then closed until Thursday 2 December.
Normal opening times – Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 9am–1pm – Closed Wednesday’s
Help for older residents
During the winter months, it can become harder to manage your money, particularly when it comes to heating your home. But don’t worry, there is support out there. This page provides a variety of support options for residents 66 and older.
If you want to talk to someone about anything we’ve included here, or just want to get a bit of extra advice, please call our Financial Inclusion team on 0300 3300 900 ext 7305 or email myadvice@havebury.com
We have also added further links to all of these resources on our website.
Pension Credit
If you didn’t already know, you can now only receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you receive Pension Credit. This makes determining whether you might be entitled to Pension Credit more important than ever. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over state pension age and on a low income.
You might also get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person on Child Benefit.
Pension Credit is separate from your state pension and is designed to support you, regardless of your other sources of income, savings, or tenure. If you become entitled to Pension Credit, you will continue receiving the Winter Fuel Payment.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a severe disability, that requires someone to help look after you.
You don’t need to receive care to be entitled to this benefit; you just have to have a need for it.
The application process for Attendance Allowance is straightforward. You just need to complete a form about your health and how it affects your daily tasks.
You may also get extra Pension Credit, housing benefits, and a council tax reduction if you qualify.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
If you are on a low income or become entitled to Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance you might qualify for help towards your rent and council tax.
You can claim this through your local council, usually online. If you are unsure of who your local authority is head to www.gov.uk/find-local-council to find out.
Winter Fuel Payment and Local Welfare Assistance
If you think you will struggle to afford your energy/fuel now that you won’t get the Winter Fuel Payment, you might be able to ask your local council for help. This short application can be completed via your local authority and a payment can be made straight into your account.
NHS Low Income Scheme
If you have a low income, such as a state pension or other small pensions, you might be able to get help with dental and eyecare costs and other things that you have to pay for through the NHS. To find out more about this just visit www.nhs.uk and search ‘Low Income Scheme’ in the search box.
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