Energy & Cost of Living Crisis – help that is available from Somerset Council and Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Somerset, in partnership with Somerset Council, is here to support residents facing financial hardship. If you’re struggling, help is available — don’t wait to reach out.

A range of support is available to help Somerset residents struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs. Somerset Council is again distributing funds from the Government and working in partnership with local charities and community groups to offer a broad selection of essential free support measures for local people.

The kind of vital local support that the Council is encouraging people to access includes food pantries, advice and support for families and individuals (including help with food, mental health and loneliness), council tax support for people on a low income or who receive certain benefits, and discretionary housing payments for people struggling to pay rent.

Heating Oil Help  – can’t afford to top up your heating oil?
You may qualify for urgent help if you live in Somerset, oil is your main heating source, you have under 300 litres left, and you’re on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or can show you can’t afford a delivery.
Apply here or call 0808 278 7842.

Easter Food Support (3–19 April 2026)
Free school meal families can get supermarket vouchers to help cover food costs over Easter. Evidence of eligibility required.
Apply here

Crisis Help Facing a sudden financial shock?
Support is available for Somerset residents on means-tested benefits or low incomes who can’t cover essentials like food or energy. Apply here.

Resilience Support
A new longer-term fund to help vulnerable residents build financial stability. More details coming soon.

Useful links:
Somerset Food Pantries
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/health-safety-and-wellbeing/the-local-pantry-network-in-somerset/

Council Tax Reduction
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/benefits-and-payments/council-tax-reduction/

Cost of Living Support
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/cost-of-living-support-for-somerset-residents/

Easter Food Support
https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk/ehfs/

Heating Oil Help
https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk/crisis-resilience-fund/ or call 0808 278 7842

Crisis Help Facing a sudden financial shock
https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk/crisis-help-form/