Chichester residents facing the ongoing challenge of rising living costs and energy bills have found significant relief through the local Energy Advice Service. Since its launch in September 2023, this vital initiative has secured over £500,000 in financial gains for residents, assisting more than 4,700 people in navigating energy costs and financial hardship1.
While local services like Chichester's provide essential immediate relief, managing your home energy proactively can also help reduce costs. Fuse Energy offers transparent pricing and usage insights to help you take control of your energy bills. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.
The Chichester Energy Advice Service provides crucial support to households struggling with essential living expenses. Delivered by Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice and funded by Chichester District Council, the service acts as a lifeline, ensuring vulnerable residents can access expert advice and practical assistance when they need it most.
Expert support for energy bills, debt, and budgeting
The service offers comprehensive guidance across several key areas. Residents can receive expert advice on managing energy bills, understanding available benefits, tackling debt, and budgeting effectively. This support helps individuals and families make informed decisions to improve their financial stability.
Significant impact and continued funding
The service has demonstrated a substantial positive impact on the community. It has provided emergency food or fuel vouchers to over 500 residents and supported more than 1,000 people through the Household Support Fund. Councillor Rhys Chant, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing at Chichester District Council, highlighted the service's importance, stating:
"Many households across the district continue to feel the impact of rising living costs, with energy bills remaining a significant concern for many residents."
— Councillor Rhys Chant
The service, which undergoes an annual review, recently received an additional £20,000 in funding to continue its vital work. Councillor Chant further emphasised that "Without this provision, some of our most vulnerable residents could be left facing difficult choices between heating their homes and meeting other essential living costs".
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is a government initiative in the UK designed to help vulnerable households with the cost of living. Local councils, such as Chichester District Council, distribute the funds, often partnering with organisations like Citizens Advice to provide essential support for food, energy, and other essential costs.
While local services provide crucial immediate relief, understanding and managing energy usage proactively can offer long-term benefits. Empowering residents with tools and transparency allows them to control their energy consumption and costs, reducing reliance on emergency aid.
Taking control with transparent pricing and usage insights
Fuse Energy offers tools that provide real-time usage insights and transparent pricing. This gives residents greater control over their energy consumption and bills. By understanding how and when they use energy, individuals can make informed decisions to optimise their usage and potentially reduce their overall costs.
Long-term savings and continuous support
Proactive energy management, supported by continuous assistance, can lead to long-term savings. Fuse's 24/7 human customer support complements local advice services by offering ongoing assistance for daily energy management queries. This approach helps residents transition from reactive crisis management to a more empowered and controlled energy future.
For Chichester residents seeking assistance, various avenues are available to help manage energy costs and other essential living expenses.
How to contact the energy advice service
Residents needing support with energy bills, benefits, debt, or budgeting should contact Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice. They offer initial guidance and expert advice to assess specific needs and connect individuals with appropriate support.
Exploring additional financial assistance
Beyond the core Energy Advice Service, residents can explore other forms of financial assistance. This includes emergency support such as food or fuel vouchers, and access to the Household Support Fund. It's always advisable to explore long-term energy management solutions to reduce future reliance on emergency aid.
Taking control of your energy usage and costs can make a real difference to your household budget. Fuse Energy is committed to providing clear pricing, real-time usage data through our app, and 24/7 human customer support to help you manage your energy effectively. We believe in making energy simple and transparent, so you can focus on what matters most. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and experience a smarter way to manage your home's energy. You can also learn more about our mission to make energy abundant by clicking here.
References
- The Argus. Thousands helped with rising energy bills as service gets funding boost
