Skip to main content
Site logo

Main navigation

  • About Alex
  • News
  • My Plan
  • Local Issues
  • In Parliament
  • In Brentwood and Ongar
  • Contact
Site logo

Helpful Links to Advice and Support for Consumers and Households

  • Tweet

Business, utility companies, housing associations and transport providers are providing fact sheets and advice on what they can do to help you during this difficult time. 

Please see below for the information I have received so far - I will update it as more comes in.

For up-to-date information regarding what support is available from the Government please click here.

Action for Children

Parent Talk is an online support service from Action for Children designed for parents that is free:

As part of their digital offer to parents, Parent Talk helps to provide extra support. There is guidance for parents on everything from managing behaviour through to sleep and emotional wellbeing, as well as the option to live chat with their parenting coaches online.

There is also support for parents including tools to help them take care of themselves, as well as practical advice on coping with money, relationships and their own emotional wellbeing.

Age UK

Volunteering

Age UK has put together postcards and a short video on neighbourly volunteering which provides helpful information and support for older friends and neighbours: http://bit.ly/2WtAOGT

Demand for our vital services has increased rapidly and online donations are the most effective way to reach the most in need at this time. Volunteers can help us keep our Information & Advice and friendship services running and help the local Age UKs provide practical help such as food parcels by donating at www.ageuk.org.uk/coronaappeal

Age UK is here to support older people during this challenging time. We’ve outlined some tips to help stay safe and well over the coming weeks here

If you have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, you can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 635 days a year: 0800 055 6112

Chelmer Housing Partnership (CHP)

CHP is a local housing association with a number of homes in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency. Enhanced health and hygiene measures have been put in place in its housing schemes and all community meetings and any external use of its facilities have been cancelled, including stopping the booking of guest suites in sheltered schemes. CHP is asking any customers who feel unwell and are self-isolating, to let them know as soon as possible. This is so they know how best to deliver any essential services to them. You can find out more here.

EDF

EDF know that the cost of living has had a significant impact on their customers’ lives and many will be worried about paying their bills. That is why EDF want to reassure customers that they are here to help. EDF are asking all customers who are worried about their finances or about paying a bill to take action and contact them.

Ignoring debt only makes the problem worse. But EDF can only help if a customer gets in touch with them.

  • EDF have plenty of advice on what to do if you are worried about debt on their website here.
  • Alternatively, you can call their dedicated debt advice line: 0333 009 6992

By contacting EDF, their expert customer services team will work with every customer to provide tailored support to get them out of debt and back in control of their finances as quickly as possible.

EDF have a number of ways they can help:

  • Tailored repayment plans: EDF know that every person is different and they will work with each customer to agree an affordable repayment plan which is right for them
  • A pay as you go meter – A smart PAYG meter puts their customers firmly in control of their energy usage and payments. Budgeting is made easy via their app, or by an in-home display that allows customers to see exactly how much energy they’re using in pounds and pence. Paying is simple too; customers can set auto-tops, low level alerts and pay online anytime, anywhere.
  • Energy saving advice – By better understanding their customer’s energy use, EDF also provide useful tips on how customers can save. This includes installing a smart meter or whether a customer would be eligible for new energy efficiency measures, like insulation, through the Energy Company Obligation.
  • If a customer needs extra support with their finances EDF can also put customers in touch with their partners at Citizen’s Advice Plymouth or Income Max to check for additional income sources.

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

"We offer free additional tailored support and guidance to customers on our Priority Services Register if they experience a power cut, reliant on electronic medical equipment or with young children. For more information on our Priority Services Register, please visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority to register, or call us on 0800 169 9970."

UKPN's latest advice can be found here

 

 

 

See Also
Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Latest Updates

This page has been designed to provide up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19).   If you need medical help, please use the 111 online coronavirus service. You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about what you can do and can

News

Enjoy a Relaxing Retirement

Help and Support for Brentwood and Ongar's Pensioners - Organisations Offering Advice and Guidance

Tuesday, 10 September, 2024
This week is Pensions Awareness Week.
ECC COVID-19

COVID-19 Variant of Concern (B.1.1.529; Omicron) Identified in Brentwood

Saturday, 27 November, 2021
Essex County Council have released the following statement: We can confirm that a single case involving the new COVID-19 Variant of Concern (B.1.1.529), Omicron, has been identified in Brentwood.
DWP

Government Launches £500m Support for Vulnerable Households Over Winter

Thursday, 30 September, 2021
Vulnerable households across the country will be able to access a new £500m support fund to help them with essentials over the coming months as the country continues its recovery from the pandemic. £500m support available to help those most in need as we enter the final stages of recovery Money
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Ofgem Support for Customers As Energy Price Cap Rises

Wednesday, 11 August, 2021
Ofgem, the energy regulator, has confirmed the new price cap levels that start on 1 October, and has issues the following advice and information for anyone who is struggling to pay their bills: "The energy price cap protects 15 million customers.
Project Gigabit

Two Million Rural Homes and Businesses to Benefit in £5bn Broadband Upgrade

Monday, 2 August, 2021
6,500 homes and businesses across rural parts of Essex are set to be upgraded to lightning-fast gigabit broadband as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme. Millions of people in rural England will get access to the fastest broadband speeds on the market as part of a £5 billion plan to
Road Map

Roadmap For Easing Restrictions

Monday, 12 July, 2021
As stated in the the Prime Minister's press release, the roadmap outlines the four steps for easing restrictions with dates being indicative and subject to change. Before proceeding to the next step, the Government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous easements.
Image by Bilal EL-Daou from Pixabay

International Travel Traffic Light System

Thursday, 8 July, 2021
On Friday 7 May 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that international travel can begin to safely reopen from 17 May, allowing people to go on foreign holidays to 'green list' countries. Importantly, strict rules on testing and quarantine will remain in place to prot
HMRC

Latest Updates from HMRC

Thursday, 17 June, 2021
Support Available as Lockdown Eases Furloughing employees If a business in the constituency continues to be affected by coronavirus, employers may be able to claim grants under the CJRS.  The UK Government will continue to pay 80% of furloughed employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up t
Alex Burghart MP with Pesh Kapasiawala

Community Spirit in Action in Ongar

Tuesday, 9 March, 2021
So many people across the Brentwood and Ongar constituency have done so much amazing work to help others during the course of the coronavirus pandemic, especially when the number of those in need has risen as a result of job losses, reduced incomes and illness.
Ofgem guide to help from energy companies

Ofgem Guide to Help Available From Energy Suppliers

Monday, 8 March, 2021
As the restrictions in response to COVID-19 have continued, Ofgem has been working closely with the energy industry to ensure consumers, particularly vulnerable consumers, continue to be protected.
  • Load More

Contact

  • Advice and Support for Consumers and Households
  • Campaign Responses
  • Zero Tolerance Policy

Alex Burghart MP Conservative Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Alex Burghart
  • In Brentwood and Ongar
  • In Parliament
ConservativesPromoted by Brentwood & Ongar Conservative Association on behalf of Alex Burghart, both at 19 Crown Street, Brentwood CM14 4BA
Copyright 2025 Alex Burghart MP Conservative Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree