Cost of living help

There may be more help than you think...

Anyone can fall behind on bills, but it’s NEVER too late to ask for help and advice. Here’s a simple tick list of what to do if you are struggling….

Important thing to remember:

  • Claim the benefits you’re entitled to. You can check what is available on the government’s website: www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
  • If you are having trouble paying your bills, contact your suppliers / creditors to discuss your concerns.
  • Be careful/wary of scammers
  • Beware of loan sharks. 

If you are having trouble paying your bills, contact your suppliers / creditors to discuss your concerns. Advice from Ofgem.

Full details of the support schemes available from the UK Government are on helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk These include:

  • £400 off your fuel bill. It’s paid directly to your energy supplier.
  • Cost of Living Payments to certain groups of people that will be paid through your normal benefit payments.
    • £650 for those on low income benefit or tax credits;
    • £300 for pensioners. See more information
    • £150 for disabled people.
  • Cold Weather Payment - If your area experiences extreme weather for seven consecutive days you will be eligible for an extra £25 a week Cold Weather Payment if you’re on benefits.
  • £150 Warm Homes Discount, which is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or if you live in a low income household. 


Gwynedd Council can help you with household bills with these payments:

You might also benefit from:

Contact your landlord, they’re here to help:

  • ADRA - 0300 123 8084
  • Cynefin - 0300 111 2122
  • North Wales Housing - 01492 572727
  • If you are renting privately, Citizens Advice may be able to help if you are at risk of falling into arrears, there is useful information here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/housing 
  • Contact the Homelessness Service, Cyngor Gwynedd - 01766 771000

Help is available if you’re finding it difficult to keeping your house warm. Contact us to see if you are eligible or need advice: 

Or find more information on the Energy in the home webpage.


  • Warm Spaces - locations across Gwynedd who offer a warm welcome for anyone to come in for a warm shelter, chat or a cup of tea.

Food banks

Food banks provide people with food when they are in crisis, without food. 


Food pantries

Food Pantries provide people with packages of affordable food, most often for a small contribution. You can use a local pantry as another way to eat healthy, affordable food, and you'll also help stop that food from going to waste.


Free school meals

If you have a school aged child you could also be entitled to free school meals:


Support if you are pregnant / have young children

If you are pregnant or have a child under 4 years old you can also get help to buy food and milk through the Healthy Start scheme: 

If you are struggling and need help contact us or one of our partner agencies for advice and assistance:


Community Hubs

Help and information on food, energy and money is also available through the hub in your local area:  

Caernarfon Hub

Bala Hub

Dyffryn Nantlle Hub

  • Yr Orsaf, Storfa Muriau, Heol y Dwr, Penygroes, Gwynedd, LL54 6LP 
  • greta@yrorsaf.cymru
  •  07529 224989

Bermo/Tywyn Hub

Bro Ffestiniog Hub

Botwnnog Hub

Llanaelhaearn Hub


Pwllheli/Nefyn Hub

Dyffryn Ogwen Hub

  • Partneriaeth Ogwen, 27 High Street, Bethesda, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 3AE.
  • menna@ogwen.org         
  • 07561648824

Maesgeirchen Hub

There is free access to computers and the internet at all Gwynedd Libraries. 

Or contact Gwynedd Digidol to get personal help to do more online, or to borrow a device and data

 If you feel unable to cope, are worried about your situation and that it is having an impact on your health there is information available to help you look after yourself

In response to the cost of living crisis and curent economic climate, the Council's Business Support Unit recently hosted a webinar for local businesses offering advice on business efficiency measures which could reduce their overheads and carbon emissions. View more information