Norfolk County Council’s Cost of Living Support Scheme has a £7.7m package of support to help households struggling to pay for food, fuel, energy and water bills, and other essentials. Details of support available can be found on their website at
Norfolk website or by contacting them on 0344 800 8020
Cost of Living Vouchers
Families that are eligible for free school meals will automatically receive a monthly ‘cost of living’ voucher. The vouchers will be £15 per month, per child. There’s a larger payment of £30 for August, to coincide with the school holidays. The vouchers will be paid up to and including October 2022
The vouchers are provided by Edenred, which can be used in all supermarkets for essentials, including clothing.
Find out if someone is eligible for free school meals and help them apply.
Norfolk Assistance Scheme
Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) helps people in financial hardship to pay for their living costs. The scheme can provide emergency financial help, supply essential household goods and furniture and give support, guidance and advice.
People can apply themselves. They will need to complete an application with evidence of their financial situation to show they are eligible for support. For more information and to apply go to:
Emergency funding/housing related costs
Local district, borough or city council can offer a wide range of support:
Broadland Council and South Norfolk District Council help hub
Nourishing Norfolk
Community supermarkets and community fridges offer a long-term solution. They offer a wide range of affordable groceries and enable people to choose the food they would like to buy so they can put together well-balanced, nutritious meals. Norfolk County Council is supporting Norfolk Community Foundation’s Nourishing Norfolk movement to develop 15 food hubs in Norfolk.
Find out more about how people can access foodbanks, community supermarkets and community fridges On Norfolk County Council’s website:
The Tricky Period and Toiletries to Go
All Norfolk Libraries have free bags of sanitary products and toiletries available to grab and go. They are freely available and there is no need to ask.
More information about what is available is on Norfolk County Council’s website:
Community Learning
Norfolk’s Adult Learning service is running:
- Budgeting courses such as “beat the bills”.
- Cooking courses in conjunction with Community Supermarkets.
- Family learning activities in school holidays.
Find out what’s available and book online.
Help with paying water bills
Norfolk County Council is working with Anglian Water to help older, vulnerable residents with their water debts. Anglian Water will be getting in touch with all those on the social tariff who are eligible for support. However, if you know someone of any age who is struggling to pay their water bills please they should contact Anglian Water directly.