During a Cost-of-Living Crisis, managing your bills can be hard, but we want to reassure you that we are here to help you in any way that we can.
These difficult times are putting a strain on those paying household bills and we firmly believe you should not have to carry this burden alone.
In this FAQ, you will find information to help maximise your income, receive energy advice, get more affordable bills, find debt/budgeting advice, mental health support and free independent advice from charities and non-profit organisations.
Priority Service Register:
If you are in need of extra, more specialised support due to an illness, disability or a mental health problem, you can join our Priority Services Register which will provide you with:
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All OTM staff are well-trained to provide prioritised, customer-targeted support to consumers who are in vulnerable positions, especially during the Cost-of-Living Crisis
This may be a vital service in times of need, so if you believe you qualify, we do kindly urge you to download then fill out our PSR application form by clicking the fill and sign button and return it via email to hello@outfoxthemarket.co.uk.
The completed document can also be sent to us through our Connect page on our website.
You can find out more about the Priority Services Register and the application form here.
Citizens Advice:
Citizens Advice are a non-profit organisation set up with the sole purpose to provide support and advice on an array of topical issues. Their main focuses revolve around financial assistance and planning for those who find themselves suffering from financial hardship.
Some of their most relevant pieces advice can be read below:
Get help if you are struggling to pay your bills
Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
Getting extra support from your energy supplier
Compare how much electrical appliances cost to use
Help with bills if you use alternative fuels
Make your home more energy efficient
Get help with the cost of living
Get advice about health services
NHS Mental Health Services:
The National Health service offer plenty of advice and information on how to deal with mental health problems.
Supporting those experiencing mental health issues is incredibly important to Outfox the Market and we do urge you to use the help available on the NHS if you find yourself struggling at the moment.
The links below direct you to lines of support offered by the NHS.
Advice for life situations and events
How to find local mental health services
How to find local mental health charities
Find an NHS talking therapies service
OTM & Scope Partnership:
We have partnered up with the well-renowned charity, SCOPE, who offer an expansive support network for people with disabilities across England and Wales. Their mission is to drive social change so that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
As a Scope Utilities Member, we will work together to help shape the future of how the utility sector works for people living with disabilities and their families.
Their dedicated service can help deal with energy debt, grants and trusts, receive benefits and much more.
You can call Scope on 0808 801 0821 to find out more.
Mental Health Charities:
It's okay to not be okay which is why there are lots of charities that can offer personalised information and support to help you get back on your feet.
Click on the images below to find out more:
Other Services:
There are many other services available to help you. All are free charities designed to provide personalised aid to those suffering with financial difficulties or experiencing mental health problems.
Many of these services can help you find ways to deal with the Cost-of-Living Crisis, debt issues and many more topics that you may encounter.
Mental Health and Money Advice:
This service has a fantastic toolkit to help you find ways to navigate financial issues alongside managing your mental health which include savings calculators, budget planners and Universal Credit money managers.
Money Advice Trust:
Providing impartial, individualised support, The Money Advice Trust are a national charity helping people across the country tackle debts and manage money with confidence.
In 2021 alone, they help over 170,000 people with their financial situation.
Local Authority:
Some local authorities offer special assistance for those in their area. They may even have a dedicated person or team to help deal with energy, mental health or financial burdens.
It is always a good idea to regularly check with your local authority to find out what support may be on offer near you.
You can find your local authority here.
Debt:
Dealing with debt can be a very difficult topic, with one in five adults reporting they have had to borrow more money compared to a year ago. The graph below shows some of the main reasons why people have fallen into debt over the past four years.
One of the main issues revolving around debt is working out which ones should be prioritised. The Citizens Advice Bureau have a dedicated page to help you work out which of your debts should be taken care of first. You can visit this page here.
National Debtline:
The National Debtline is a free service set up to help those who have fallen int debt, get advice on how to manage their finances. Their services include informative articles, webchats, digital advice tools and a freephone number to contact them regarding any issues with your financial situation.
StepChange:
Another free service for helping you resolve issues with debt, their team offer individualised, comprehensive support to those who need to get in touch.
Their website offers lots of useful information on how to navigate debt and find ways to make affordable payments without sacrificing the necessities in life.