Cost of Living - Additional Support
Here at Winchester Student Union, we want you to be aware of the support available to you both inside and outside of the University. Some of the support can be trickier to understand than others. Therefore we have dedicated a specific page with some further information on what’s available to students currently.
University - Cost of Living Fund
Following the allocation of additional Student Hardship Funds from the Office for Students we are able to reopen The Cost Of Living Fund. This is open to all current students. We have also created a Parent / Carer Support Fund to acknowledge the additional challenges faced by those with additional caring responsibilities.
These funds have been created to support those who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the Cost of Living Crisis.
All current students (including Channel Islands, EU and International) are eligible, and we particularly encourage parents and carers to apply, as well as students who have a disclosed disability.
Click HERE for more information on the funds and details of how to apply.
The Fund is limited, and awards will be allocated on a first-come basis.
Applications to the Fund will close on Friday 31st March 2023 at 3 pm.
Government - Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF)
Most homes in England will have received their £400 discount on their energy bills. For most students, this has likely come in the form of money off your rent (if your bills are included with rent) and will have been sent directly to your landlord. Or, if your bills aren’t included, you may have seen the discount off your energy bill. Or, you may have been provided with credit in your energy account (which can be used to pay your bill).
For those who have previously been ineligible to claim the £400, the government have recently announced an alternative support fund. Applications for the fund close on the 31st of May 2022. If approved, you will receive a one-off payment of £400. Only one person per property can claim the fund. You will be responsible for splitting the fund between your housemates to ensure everyone benefits from the support fund. Remember, this fund is to support you paying your energy bills. Therefore, each person in your property who contributes towards the energy bill is entitled to a share of this money.
Subject to applications meeting full requirements, households who will be able to receive support through the EBSS AF include:
- Care home residents and care facilities/sheltered accommodation,
- Park homes, houseboats, and caravans,
- Social and private tenants who pay for energy through a landlord on a commercial supply,
- Homes on a heat network/private wire,
- Off-grid homes
- Farmhouses used for wholly domestic purposes.
If you’re unsure if you live in one of these properties, contact your landlord or letting agent for confirmation.
Application process
- Those who are eligible for the EBSS AF will need to submit a short online application via the Government’s GOV.UK webpages.
- This page can be found by searching “Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically” into the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine.
- For those without online access, the contact centre helpline can be reached on 08081753287 where a representative will guide them through the application process.
If you have any questions on any additional funding, please contact our Student Union Advisor via the Advice Enquiry Form for support.
