Living costs
Contents insurance
As your landlord, we insure the building and anything we provide, but we don’t cover your home’s contents and belongings. We recommend getting contents insurance in place to help cover the cost of replacing your furniture, decorations, flooring and other personal belongings in case the worst should happen.
As an Onward customer, you can access a discounted contents insurance plan from as little as 45p per week with our partners Royal & Sun Alliance. To learn more, please click on the button below.
Get discounts on your everyday shopping
Housing Perks is a free app offering up to a 20% discount at supermarkets, high street shops and online stores like ASDA, B&M, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Primark, Argos, TK Maxx and more. For more details on the Housing Perks app and for answers to any questions you may have, please click on the button below.
Energy costs
Energy costs remain high and we understand that this can be a worry. If you’re worried, you can get in touch with our Money Advice Team for free, confidential advice by visiting the My Onward Portal, emailing moneyadviceteam@onward.co.uk, or calling 0300 555 0600 between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 6pm on Wednesdays.
If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter, your local council may have a welfare assistance scheme that can help you. Information on how to apply and if you qualify for help can be found on your local authority’s website or by giving them a call.
You can also contact your energy supplier to see if they can issue an emergency hardship payment. If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone, and you don’t have to be a British Gas customer.
You can also find some helpful tips on saving energy costs below.
- Take regular metre readings and give these to your supplier to make sure you pay for the amount you’re using. Without them, your supplier will estimate how much energy you’re using.
- Energy bills can be confusing, but understanding the detail can help you get to grips with your energy usage. The Citizens Advice Service has a useful tool on their website to help you break it down into bite size chunks.
- Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity you’re using via a remote connection. They come with an in-home display screen to help you visualise your energy usage and support you to reduce your energy consumption. Gas and electricity suppliers are responsible for providing and fitting smart meters for everyone in Britain by the end of 2025 at no extra cost, so get in touch with them to request one.
- By understanding the different types of tariffs available, you can decide on which option is best for you and your circumstances. Check out your energy supplier’s website or give them a call for more details.
- If you’re thinking of switching you suppliers, you should always check the options available beforehand. Just remember that exit fees may apply if you’re within a contract and decide to switch.
Water bills
It’s easy to waste water in our everyday activities, but a few simple changes can have a huge impact. Here are some simple tips to try:
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. This can save up to six litres of water.
- Always fully fill you washing machine or dishwasher to help cut out additional loads.
- When washing the dishes, ensure you put the plug in rather than leaving the tap running.
- Take a shower instead of a bath if you’re able to. The average shower only uses 30 litres of water, so this could save you up to 50 litres of water on average.
- When filling the kettle only use as much water as you need.
If you think you’ll struggle to pay your water bill, please visit United Utilities’ website to apply for support or get in touch with them by calling 0800 072 6765.
Council tax
If you are unemployed, on a low income, or in receipt of certain benefits you may be eligible for support with council tax payments. You can find out what support is available in your area by contacting your local council.
Food
Food shopping can be one of the largest outgoings for many households. By introducing some small changes, you can still eat well and save money. Here are some helpful tips to consider.
- Make a weekly meal plan before going to the shops. There are plenty of online websites that share tasty recipes on a budget, such as BBC Good Food.
- Use up ingredients you already have at home and make a shopping list of any missing items.
- Freeze any unused food using food storage bags or boxes.
- Save leftovers for lunch for dinner the next day.
- Try frozen fruit and vegetables that come pre-chopped and ready to use.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables will last longer without the packaging, so pre-prepare and freeze them for things like a pre-made smoothie or casserole mix.
- There’s not always much difference between value and premium ranges, so try cheaper brands.
- Cook your food in bulk to save time and money.
- Store food correctly to help keep your food fresher for longer.
- Buy a whole chicken instead of as you’ll get two breasts, two thighs, drumsticks and wings.
- Make your own sauces, dressings, and seasonings to cut costs. It’s helpful to have a good stock of seasonings for this.
- Designate one night of the week for using up leftovers in your fridge.
Your child could be eligible for free school meals if you have a low income or receive benefits, and if you are pregnant or have a child under the age of four, you can get help with the cost of food and milk. You can also visit Trussell Trust’s website, or search ‘Food banks near me’ on Google to find support available locally.
For more support accessing food, please get in touch with our Social Investment Team by emailing socialinvestment@onward.co.uk or giving us a call on 0300 555 0600.