With the cost of living continuing to rise, we understand that it is having an impact on households across the borough and as we approach winter, we know that people will start to feel the squeeze even more.
If you or your family are struggling, please remember you are not alone. There is a range of help and support available to help people - whether it’s helping to make sure you’re claiming all the benefits or financial support you’re entitled to, or support with issues such as housing, energy efficiency or managing your debts, we’ve rounded up some key information.
Find out how you can access support from the council and other organisations:
The UK Government has announced that the Household Energy Payment will provide a £100 payment to households in Council Tax bands A to D in England, to help with their energy costs.
The payments will be made from January 2027.
Households are eligible for the Household Energy Payment if they are responsible for paying the Council Tax on, and live in, a property in Council Tax bands A to D as their main home. You can check your band by visiting Check your Council Tax band.
This will also include most households exempt from Council Tax, with full eligibility criteria to be published in due course.
If you pay by Direct Debit and live in bands A to D, you don’t need to do anything – the rebate will be paid directly into your bank account.
If you don’t pay by Direct Debit, we will invite you to apply for the rebate directly.
Nobody other than the council should get in touch asking you to claim the rebate. Only give out your personal information if you are certain we have contacted you.
Further details will be provided as soon as possible, so you don’t need to contact us.
We will contact you and update this page when more information is available.
Derbyshire County Council Welfare Rights
Providing answers to your questions about benefits, helping you complete forms, ensuring you are claiming the money you are entitled to and can help challenge decisions or support appeals.
Call: 01629 531535
Email: welfarebenefits@derbyshire.gov.uk
Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice
Provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. Including debt worries, benefits claims, housing and employment problems.
Free advice helpline call: 0808 278 7843
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre
Provides free, independent and confidential advice on benefit and credit entitlements. Can also support the completion of application forms and can help challenge decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions, right through to tribunal if necessary.
Call: 01246 231441
Email: info@duwc.org.uk
Bus fare price cap
The price of a single ticket is just £3 on selected routes until the end of December 2026.
From 1 January 2027 the single ticket price will be reduced to £2.
Find out more on Gov.uk.
You may be eligible to receive Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits, or receive Support for Mortgage Interest.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to report a change in circumstances if you have a baby, or if a child under five comes to live with you.
Find out more about Cold Weather Payments
The Council Tax Support Scheme is a local scheme that provides support to people on low income by reducing the amount of Council Tax they are liable to pay.
In addition, the council also has a Discretionary Council Tax Scheme which supports those who are suffering exceptional hardship.
The reduction is at the council’s discretion and is only granted in very exceptional circumstances.
Find out more about the support available from Derbyshire County Council.
The Elm Foundation
A safe, welcoming, supportive place for any man, woman or child affected by domestic abuse. Providing the advice, support and tools you may need to change your situation; where you will feel empowered to take back control of your life.
Call: 0800 019 8668
If it's an emergency, call 999.
Text: 07534 617252
Email: derbyshiredahelpline@theelmfoundation.org.uk
WORTH
Long term after care for women affected by domestic abuse and walks alongside them on their healing journeys. Offers range of wellbeing groups within a safe and supportive environment for women to move forward and make plans after abuse.
Call: 01246 205641
Email: contact@worth-charity.co.uk
Derbyshire County Council Libraries
Provides free online courses around digital skills. You can also book the use of a library computer.
Call: 01629 533444
Email: ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk
Derbyshire Careers Service
Provides free and impartial information, advice and guidance about career opportunities, learning and employment to any Derbyshire residents aged 19 years and over and to those aged 18 who are not currently in education, employment or training.
Currently running an in-person access session at Chesterfield Library on Tuesday mornings. Wendy Leigh is the advisor for Chesterfield and Staveley.
Call: 07717 303855
The Derbyshire Discretionary Fund can provide grants or emergency cash payments for people who are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster.
The fund may be able to help during an emergency or crisis situation and to support people to continue to live independently or cope with exceptional pressure when they have no other source of funding.
Job Centre Plus
Provides resources to enable job-searchers to find work, can help identify training programmes and employment benefits.
Job Centre Plus: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888
Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Derbyshire Disability Employment Service
Supporting disabled people to find training, work experience, voluntary work and paid employment.
Call: 01629 532440
Email: disabilityemploymentservice@derbyshire.gov.uk
Derbyshire Law Centre
Provide free legal advice and assistance on all debt matters, housing and employment to the residents of Derbyshire.
Call: 01246 550674
Freephone: 0800 707 6990
Text: 07781 482826
Textphone for deaf people: 18001 01246 550674
Email: dlc@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk
Derbyshire Supported Employment Service
The Derbyshire Supported Employment Services support adults with disabilities, long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, caring responsibilities, and other personal circumstances that may make finding or keeping a job more challenging. Using a personalised, person-centred approach, we work with individuals to identify their skills, strengths and aspirations, helping them move towards employment and greater independence.
For more information:
- email: supported.employment@derbyshire.gov.uk
- call and leave a message: 01629 538381
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre
Provides free, independent and confidential advice on benefit and credit entitlements. Can also support the completion of application forms and can help challenge decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions, right through to tribunal if necessary.
Call: 01246 231441
Email: info@duwc.org.uk
Unstoppable Derbyshire
A programme that supports young people aged 18 to 21 who aren’t in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).
The programme provides personalised support to help young people build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop skills, overcome challenges, access training, and move towards employment.
Funded by Mayor Claire Ward as part of the East Midlands Combined County Authority Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Programme
Call: 01629 537607
Email: asch.unstoppable@derbyshire.gov.uk
Marches Energy Advice
Provides home energy advice, including advice on available grants, tariffs and on debts, for Derbyshire residents.
Call: 0800 677 1332
Email: wdd@mea.org.uk
Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice
Provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. Including debt worries, benefits claims, housing and employment problems.
Free Advice Helpline call: 0808 278 7843
National Energy Foundation- Better Housing Better Health
Works with households to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty, and promote healthier homes.
Call: 0800 107 0044
Email: bhbh@nef.org.uk
Food banks
Chesterfield Food Bank
Food bank covering Chesterfield - referred through Job Centre Plus, Pathways, Citizens Advice, Probations, Derbyshire Recovery Partnership.
Call: 07984 589456 or Citizens Advice: 0808 278 7843
Locations and session times:
St Michael and All Angels Parish Hall
Monday 12 noon to 2pm
Church Street, Brimington, S43 1JG
African Caribbean Community Association
Monday 5pm to 6.30pm
Unit 2, Penmore Business Centre, Hasland, S41 0SJ
The Compass
Tuesday 1pm to 3pm
West Bars, Town Centre, S40 1AZ
The Saints Parish Centre Café
Wednesday 12 noon to 2pm
3 St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield S41 7TD
St Barnabas Church
Thursday 12 noon to 2pm
Albert Road, New Whittington S43 2BH
Loundsley Green Community Centre
Friday 1pm to 3pm
Cuttholme Road, S40 4QU
Holme Hall Unite, Holme Hall Hub
Ad-hoc requests for food bags.
Phone: 07907 484835
Rural Action Derbyshire
Visit the website for more information on foodbanks.
Food pantries
Gussie's Kitchen Pantry Shop
The Parish Church of Saints Augustine, Derby Road, Chesterfield, S40 2EP
Affordable food, household essentials and support.
Wednesdays - 9.30am to 2.30pm
Call: 01246 932007
Email: gussieskitchen2016@gmail.com
Duckbrook Pantry (Community Development Chesterfield) Poolsbrook area
The Brook - Poolsbrook Bowling Green and Pavilion
Thursdays - 10am to 12pm then 1pm to 4pm
Email: pantry@cdchesterfield.com
Barrow Hill Memorial Hall Food Pantry
Barrow Hill Memorial Hall at 3 Station Road, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, S43 2PG
Thursdays - 3pm to 6.30pm
Phone: 01246 925112
Email: info@barrowhill.community
Staveley Food Pantry
Edge Centre, Chesterfield Road, Staveley, S43 3XD
Wednesdays - 10.30am to 1.30pm
Yearly membership is £5, plus £5 for a weekly shop
Call: 01246 925966
Members need to live in the Staveley area (Staveley, Inkersall, Hollingwood, Barrow Hill, Duckmanton, Mastin Moor, Poolsbrook).
Monkwood Community Food Hub
19 Monkwood Road, Dunston, S41 8DG
Wednesday and Fridays - 9am to 1pm
Call: 07746 952439 or 07582 329045
Food bank: £3 donation
Fuel Finder is a UK government service that brings together live retail fuel prices and forecourt information across the UK.
Drivers can find the information on participating third party apps and websites. Find out more about the Fuel Finder service.
Chesterfield Borough Council Tenancy Support
We work with our tenants to provide support that will help you keep your home, including dealing with debt created through rent arrears.
Call: 01246 345068
Text: 07960 910264
Email: tenancy.sustainment.referrals@chesterfield.gov.uk
Tenancy management: 01246 345071
Tenancy Sustainment: 01246 345345
Chesterfield Borough Council Homelessness Prevention Team
We can offer help to prevent and relieve homelessness.
Call: 01246 345825
Out of hours call: 0808 169 2333
Chesterfield Borough Council Housing
Our housing team can help find you council housing, repair your council housing and support you with rent arrears.
Call: 01246 345345
Text: 07960 910264
Repairs Hotline: 0800 587 5659
Pathways of Chesterfield
Providing housing support and benefits advice in order to prevent homelessness and eradicate rough sleeping.
Call: 01246 498204
P3 Charity
If you are rough sleeping or you are a member of the public who is concerned about a rough sleeper you can refer them.
Derbyshire Law Centre
Provide free legal advice and assistance on all debt matters, housing and employment to the residents of Derbyshire.
Call 01246 550674 / Freephone 0800 707 6990 Text: 07781 482826
Textphone for deaf people: 18001 01246 550674
Email: dlc@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk
Housing Payments under the Crisis and Resilience Fund (Housing Payments) are extra payments that can help towards housing costs.
The payments are awarded at the discretion of the local authority and residents can only get it if they are entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
Housing Payments are available for those who are not receiving enough income to cover their rent; it can also be awarded for one-off costs such as a rent deposit or removal costs to move into a new home.
As the local authority, we administer the Housing Payments scheme for Chesterfield residents.
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service
Supporting people who are having difficulties with their mental health across the whole spectrum of mental illnesses.
Call: 01773 734989
Email: derbyshirerecoverypeersupportservice@rethink.org
Samaritans
Offering a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever is getting to you.
Freephone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org (response time 24 hours)
Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline
Support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties.
Call: 111 and select option 2
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
Chesterfield Safe Haven
Provide support for people aged 18 and over who are experiencing mental health distress or crisis.
Opening times: 4.30pm to 11pm, 365 days a year.
Self-refer by calling: 01246 949410 or drop into the service.
Address: 188 North Wingfield Road, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5EJ
Rethink Mental Health - Derbyshire Support Map
The map aims to bring all aspects of mental health support together, including crisis support, telephone support, self-help groups, peer support, self-care, and mental health training.
Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice
Provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. Including debt worries, benefits claims, housing and employment problems.
Free Advice Helpline call: 0808 278 7843
Derbyshire Law Centre
Provide free legal advice and assistance on all debt matters to the residents of Derbyshire.
Call: 01246 550674
Freephone: 0800 707 6990
Text: 07781 482826
Textphone for deaf people: 18001 01246 550674
Email: dlc@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk
Derbyshire Discretionary Fund
Provides grants or emergency cash payments if you are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster.
Phone: 01629 533399
Household Support Fund
The household support fund (HSF) is available to help Derbyshire residents facing financial hardship over the coming months by providing grants and other financial support.
Phone: 01629 533399
CAP (Christians against poverty)
Providing free debt advice and counselling.
Phone: 0800 328 0006
Derbyshire Community Bank (formerly Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Credit Union)
Provides safe and affordable loans, savings accounts and financial support for Derbyshire residents.
Community banks are a not-for-profit alternative to high-cost lenders and payday loans, helping people access affordable credit and build savings. Services can be accessed online, by phone and through the Derby branch.
Call: 01332 348144
Chesterfield Worrying about Money
Help to find local support with food, energy costs, debt advice, housing, benefits and other essential needs.
Help to access safe and affordable borrowing and savings options.
Email: affordable.credit@derbyshire.gov.uk
Support you if you have borrowed from an illegal money lender.
Call: 0300 555 2222
Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Free debt advice and support to manage money worries.
Call: 0800 138 1111
If you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, you could benefit from Pension Credit - find out more on the Government website.
The Royal British Legion has launched a cost of living grants programme that is designed to assist people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs.
To qualify for this support, you need to have served / or currently be serving in The Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, or be a member of their immediate family.
Links: Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service and Action (Links CVS) provides support to voluntary organisations and community groups
operating in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
Their support includes:
- everything involved in starting a group such as creating a constitution
- establishing roles and responsibilities to registering as a charity
Along with the Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership and a range of local statutory and voluntary partner organisations, we want to support our communities in keeping warm and in good health over the colder months.
Working with partner agencies, anyone living in our borough can now visit a range of ‘warm spaces’ around Chesterfield where you can meet other people in a free, warm and welcoming environment.
Many of the venues are offering refreshments, as well as a few other activities (depending on the venue) that you could join in with if you wanted to as well.
Each of the spaces are free to attend (with a small selection of paid activities) and everyone is welcome to drop in.
Find warm space venues on Google Maps.
Severn Trent’s Big Difference scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any of their customers with a household income below £23,492.
Households with child dependants may be eligible for an additional income allowance in excess of this amount.
Learn more about the Big Difference scheme on the Severn Trent website.
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027. This is known as a Winter Fuel Payment.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
If you are eligible, you’ll receive a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.
Find out more about the Winter Fuel Payment.