There will be changes to recycling and waste collections over Easter. Find out more and check your collection days.

Additional support in Somerset

On this page you can find additional support in Somerset, including

  • help with food
  • information and advice
  • help with childcare
  • help with bills

Advice for paying your energy bills

For more information visit Citizens Advice Somerset.

Call Citizens Advice Somerset Freephone Advice Line on 0808 27 87842 between 10am and 4pm Monday and Friday, and between 10am and 8pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

You can find more advice in the documents below.

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Advice if you are worried about paying your energy bills – Citizens Advice Somerset

PDF, 79.9 KB
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#MoneyWorries Campaign

PDF, 565 KB

What the Energy Price cap means for you

You can find information about the Energy Price cap in the document below.

Document preview
Information from Citizens Advice Somerset

PDF, 80.9 KB

Where to get a food box if you are running low on food

Anyone in communities across Somerset regardless of their financial situation can request meals or food boxes from Village Agents.

For more information visit Village Agents – Help with Food.

Contact Village Agents by phone on 01823 331222 or email info@somersetrcc.org.uk

Get help to buy food if you are pregnant

If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant you may be able to get help to buy healthy food with a Healthy Start card.

Visit Somerset Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing for more information.

You can find out more about the Healthy Start card here.

Visit the Healthy Start – Contact Us page for up-to-date details on how to get in touch with them.

Help to buy baby formula

If you have a child or children under 4-years-old, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk with a Healthy Start card.

Visit Somerset Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing for more information.

Find out more about the Healthy Start card.

Visit the Healthy Start – Contact Us page for up-to-date details on how to get in touch with them.

Where to get information, advice, and support

If you need support or are struggling with the following topics:

  • housing
  • health
  • finance
  • food boxes
  • adult social care
  • children’s services
  • feelings of loneliness and isolation

Talking Cafes can help. They provide a local place you can visit for advice and support from your local Village Agent or if you just want a friendly chat.

For more information visit the Village Agents – Talking Cafes page.

Contact Somerset Village and Community Agents by phone on 01823 331 222 or email them at info@somersetrcc.org.uk

Advice if you are in debt and worried about money

Somerset Financial Well-Being Project gives free financial well-being information to anyone who lives or works in Somerset.

Visit Westcountry Savings and Loans – SFWP for more information.

Contact them on weekdays between 10am and 1pm on 0800 304 7041 or 03300 563994

Advice if you are struggling to pay your water bill

Wessex Water schemes are for anyone struggling to pay their water bill or who has fallen behind paying their water bill.

Visit Reduced bill – Assist – Wessex Water for information about how to apply.

Contact them by phoning 0345 600 3 600 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm.

Advice if you are struggling to pay household bills, rent or council tax

Citizen’s Advice Somerset can advise you on grants and benefits you may be able to get.

Visit Citizens Advice – Get help with bills for more information.

Phone Somerset Adviceline on 0808 27 87842 between 10am and 4pm on weekdays.

Clients who are deaf or hard of hearing can phone the Citizens Advice Text Relay service on 03444 111 445.

Help with childcare costs

The Government have different schemes to help with childcare costs for parents of toddlers and teens. Check the Childcare Choices website to find out how to claim what you are able to get.

For more information visit Childcare Choices – Guidance Zone.

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Funding provided from the Department for Work and Pensions

Last reviewed: February 9, 2024 by Sophie

Next review due: August 9, 2024

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