Energy price cap increase: 'Huge spike' in concerns in North Yorkshire
From today, bills could go up by around £700 a year as the energy price cap increases
People in North Yorkshire are being given advice on how to cope with the rising cost of living from today.
The energy price cap has increased meaning bills could go up by about £700 a year.
Warm and Well is a partnership project run by Citizens Advice Mid-North Yorkshire.
Laura Dochery, Head of Energy and Poverty Prevention, said: "A lot of people are asking how this will affect them and what they can do, but we're more worried about those people who perhaps haven't contacted us and aren't aware because there are going to be people who this is going to come as shock to, so whilst we have seen a massive increase in demand anyone who's worried please do get in touch.
"Heating or eating has always been a problem for our clients. We are getting people wondering what support is going to be out there, so questioning what the Government measures that have been put in place and we do our very best to be able to help them through this, through income maximisation, benefit checks and debt advice.
"There's been a huge spike. Between November, December and January we saw as many clients in those three months as we had in the entire 12 months previously. Partly that was driven by administrating the household support fund on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, but a lot of that was just driven from worry about cost of living and the increase.
"I would make sure that everyone knows about the Government measures that are in place like the £150 rebate for council tax for households in Bands A to D, so if you pay by direct debit then that should go into your account automatically and if you don't you might need to get in touch with your local authority to do that.
"There's a £200 rebate which everyone should be getting that will be paid back from 2023. There's also the discrectionary fund that the local authorities have been given, we're not 100 percent sure how that's going to be distributed yet but do contact your local Citizens Advice or authority to see if you're eligible for that.
"We have a freephone advice line number. We can check for benefits, even if you've never been entitled before, if you're struggling with problem debt, that's something we can help with as well and if you're specifically worried about energy costs, we'll be able to talk you through energy saving tips and potentially grants to upgrade your property to make it more energy efficient."
Find out more about Warm and Well here or contact Citizens Advice Mid-North Yorkshire on their website or on their freephone 08082 787900.