Cost of Living Support
With the cost of living increasing, we understand that we may all need a little extra support with costs during this time. We've put together a list of financial support and discounts you may be eligible for.
You can also use our online benefits calculator to find out what benefits you can get. Do not assume that you won't be entitled to anything. You will need information about savings, income, pension, childcare payments and any existing benefits (for you and your partner).
Council Tax
Information about the different types of support and discounts for council tax.
This benefit helps people on low incomes to pay their council tax. You are eligible if you are claiming job seekers allowance or income support, or if your income is below a certain level. Also you are eligible if you are receiving universal credit.
You can check your eligibility in the My Account form ‘Apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction(Opens in a new tab or window)’.
If you are eligible but have not received a discount, you can apply online.
- If only one adult lives in a property, there is a discount of 25%
- Discount for severe mental impairment
- A discount of 25% or 50% may be available for:
- full-time students, student nurses, youth training trainees and apprentices
- residential hospital patients
- people being looked after in care homes
- severely mentally impaired people
- people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- 18 and 19 year olds who are at or who have just left school
- low paid care workers who are usually employed by a charity
- people in prison
- members of religious communities, which means monks or nuns
- people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner, or son or daughter under 18.
If your property has been adapted due to the disability of someone living there, you may qualify for decreased council tax.
To qualify, the property must have at least one of the following:
- an extra kitchen or bathroom used primarily by the disabled person
- enough floor space to use a wheelchair
- a room reserved to meet the disabled person’s needs such as a room used for dialysis
Education Support
Information and guidance about grants available for eligible pupils within Bridgend County Borough.
If you are claiming certain benefits, you may be eligible for free school meals for your child.
If you are the parent or guardian of a child in school, you may be eligible for a grant to help to pay for essential school items.
Allowances towards the cost of distinctive school clothing are made to pupils attending secondary schools.
Allowances are payable at the start of each of the child’s first five years in secondary school.
Education Maintenance Allowance is payable to pupils and students in full time education after the age of 16. It is based on household income.
Food Support
We've put together a list of places that provide food parcels or packages.
Offering community help and support through its community projects
Free lunch club, Monday- Friday between 11:30am-1:30pm
£3 and £5 pantry bags daily
Voucher referral system. Three days worth of emergency food.
- Hope Baptist Church, Bridgend, CF31 1EA:
Tuesdays 12pm - 2pm / Fridays 11am – 2pm - Noddfa Community Centre, Caerau, CF34 0PB:
Tuesdays 10am – 12pm - Cornelly Community Centre, CF33 4LW:
Thursdays 1pm – 3pm - Health and Wellbeing Centre, Neath Road, Maesteg, CF34 9EE:
Wednesdays 10:30am - 2:30pm - His Place, Pontycymmer, CF32 8DE:
Wednesdays 1:30pm - 3:30pm - The Y Centre, Porthcawl, CF36 3AP:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 12pm - St Davids Church Hall, Pencoed, CF35 6SG:
Mondays 1pm - 3pm
Quality affordable food.
£5 per bag. On average bags contains up to 15 items to help fill up your cupboards and make meals.
- Lee Evans Centre, Aberkenfig, CF32 9RF:
Fridays 10am – 12pm - William Trigg Community Centre, Blaengarw, CF32 8AQ:
Thursdays 10am – 12pm - Mobile pantry at Brackla Tabernacle, CF31 2DN:
Thursdays 2pm - 2:30pm - Bryntirion Community Hub, CF31 4EF:
Thursdays 9:30am - 11am - Abercerdin School, Kenry Street, CF39 8RS:
Friday 8:30am – 1pm - Cwm Calon, Maesteg, CF34 9UN:
Fridays 9:30am -11am - KPC Youth, Pyle, CF33 6AB:
Wednesdays 2:45pm - 4:15pm - Tenants and Residents Association House, Lewistown, CF32 7LP:
Wednesdays 1:30pm – 2pm - Wyndham Bowls Club, Waun Fach Terrace, Nantymoel, CF32 7PR:
Thursdays 10am- 10.30am - Pencoed Miners Welfare Hall, CF35 5PE:
Thursdays 2pm - 4pm - Wildmill Community Centre, Tairfelin, CF31 1SP:
Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6pm - Oldcastle School, South Street, Bridgend, CF31 3ED:
Every day during school hours.
Open various dates and times. Serving their local schools/ pupils and parents.
Please ring before attending:
- Abercerdin Primary School: 01656 815535
- Brackla Primary School: 07792465296
- Bryntirion Infants School: 01656 815860
- Bryntirion Comprehensive: 01656 641100
- Corneli Primary School: 01656 754870
- Cwmfelin Primary School: 07588332342
- Garth Primary School: 0165 815590
- Litchard Primary School: 07484220539
- Llangynwyd Primary School: 01656 815565
- Nantyffyllon Primary School: 01656 815740
- Nantymoel Primary School: 01656 815670
- Nottage Primary School: 01656 815540
- Penybont Primary School: 01656 754860
- Tremains Primary School: 01656 815900
- Ysgol Cynwyd Sant: 01656 815615
Provides support for the community of Bridgend, striving to relieve the impact of poverty and unemployment and to promote social inclusion.
Runs community café and community fridge.
£1 membership allows you to purchase a bag each week for £5
Three course lunch: £5
Family breakfast run by volunteers from Margam Mission Group and Margam Ministry Area.
Community pantry to help with your food shop.
Membership joining fee: £2
Sharing surplus food from supermarkets to the community for free.
Baby Bank Help for young families.
Support at Home
Information about support available to assist with housing and energy costs.
If you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work you may be able to get help with your living costs.
If you’re on a low income, you may be able to get help with your rent to a social landlord.
This helps towards paying rent to a private landlord.
The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme helps people who may need further help with their housing costs.
This is only if they are claiming housing benefit, local housing allowance or the housing element of universal credit.
Warm Hubs
A Warm Hub is a warm, safe space where residents can go to enjoy a warm drink and/or food, a few activities and the chance to meet and socialise over the winter months.
You can find your nearest Warm Hub on the BAVO website.
They have split it into areas within the county borough to help you find your local one.
Useful Links
- Step Change(Opens in a new tab or window) offers free, expert debt advice, and practical debt solutions.
- The Money Advice Service, Ask Ma(Opens in a new tab or window), is a free, unbiased service that offers advice and help so people can make the most of their money.
- Bridgend’s Credit Union, Bridgend Lifesavers(Opens in a new tab or window), offers savings, loans and other financial products to people normally excluded by high street banks or building societies.
- Citizens Advice Bureau(Opens in a new tab or window) gives free advice and helps solve problems with debt, consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, and immigration.
- Age Concern Morgannwg Ltd(Opens in a new tab or window) is a charity that improves the quality of life for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend and Merthyr County Boroughs.