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Cost of living
Updated September 2025
Caring roles vary, but when they end, we can feel lost, uncertain about what to do next, or dealing with emotions such as grief and bereavement.​
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Contents
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​​If you have problems accessing or find any of the information requires updating, please contact us.
Benefit advice
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Sutton Carers Centre works closely with Citizens Advice Sutton to offer confidential benefit checks, to make sure that you and/or the person you support are getting everything you are entitled to. Benefit check appointments are available by phone or face-to-face at either Sutton Carers Centre or Wallington Citizens Advice. Please call us on 0208296 5611 to make an appointment.
Please get in touch if you need any help with completing a benefit claim form. Appointments are available Monday to Friday including an evening appointment on Tuesdays, but must be booked in advance.
You can also contact Citizens Advice Sutton directly on 0208 405 3552, or contact them via an on-line enquiry form on their website at: This website also has details of their opening hours and address.
Cost of Living and debt advice
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Our Cost of Living advisor can help check that you are on the right rate for bills e.g. water, internet, Council Tax etc. She can also provide confidential support around debt issues. Appointments are on Friday in person at Sutton Carers Centre or by phone and can be booked here or by calling our office on 0208 296 5611.
Sutton Council has a detailed Cost of living page and further information for Carers at Benefits and financial help for Carers.
Bills and outgoings
Food bank vouchers - Would a food voucher be useful? Vouchers can be sent by email and used in several food banks throughout our area.
Fuel voucher - we can refer you to an organisation called 'Thinking Works' which can provide energy saving advice and sometimes a fuel/electricity voucher. Please let us know if you would like to be referred for support.
Council Tax - some Carers are able to claim a Carer Discount on their Council Tax bill e.g. other Council Tax discounts and exemptions. Not all Carer's qualify for the 'carer discount' but you may be eligible for other discounts or reductions on your Council Tax. If you are unsure, please ask for an appointment with one of our benefit advisors.
SES Water provide a 50% discount on their bills for customers on low incomes. They also have a Priority Services register which can offer extra help if there is a problem with the water supply, e.g. bottled water. Call 01737 772000 or see here.
Cheaper internet
Citizens Advice offers advice on switching suppliers, e.g. internet, phone or TV provider or see Uswitch.com to compare Broadband, Mobiles, Insurance & Energy.
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Social Tariffs - If you or someone in your household gets Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support, you might be able to get a cheaper internet, mobile or landline deal called a ‘social tariff’. If your provider has a social tariff, you won’t have to pay to move to it and you can move at any time. If your provider doesn't offer a social tariff, you can switch to another provider who does - Check out which providers offer social tariffs on the Ofcom website.
Shopping discounts - Check out what options are available for discounts on shopping, home insurance and other outgoings through these sites:
Money Saving Expert also offers advice on cost saving
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Grants
Sutton Carers Centre can help you apply for a small grant of around £300 from the national Carers Trust charity. Grants are provided for essential home items such as beds, washing machines etc and for respite breaks.
The Carers Trust do not provide cash; instead the item would be purchased for you. You would need to provide details of your income and expenditure on the application form. Please get in touch with us if you would like more details and/or an application form.
