More Money in Your Pocket

The Household Support Fund can help people with their food, energy and other essential household costs.

We received £2.3 million from the Department for Work and Pensions for the current scheme, which runs until 31 March 2025.

Be scam aware

We've been made aware of some winter fuel and financial support scams currently circulating.

Any text messages you receive from us will include a name ID and won't come from a standard mobile phone number.

Please be vigilant when sharing your personal details with anyone.

Free school meal vouchers

For children who receive benefits-related free school meals, we're providing a £15 voucher for the February half term holidays. You don't need to apply for this voucher.

You'll receive a separate voucher for each child in your household who receives benefits-related free school meals.

Pensioner Winter Support Fund

Our Pensioner Winter Support Fund can provide a one-off £200 payment to eligible pensioners. Find out if you're eligible and how to apply on our Pensioner winter support webpage.

Community support

These services are there for residents across the borough who need some extra support. Check each service for who can apply and how to do this.

Borough-wide support

Warm Homes team

The Warm Homes team support households in Barnsley to keep their properties warm.

If you're worried about paying for your energy bills or struggling to keep your home warm, you may be able to get some support.

For full details of the support available and how to apply, visit our warm homes webpage.

Resettlement grant

The resettlement grant is for low income households who've signed up for a new tenancy in the Barnsley borough and need help to furnish or pay for essential items for the property. Essential items could include:

  • fridge freezer
  • beds and mattresses
  • cooker or microwave
  • washing machine

For full details of the scheme, how to apply and the eligibility criteria, visit our resettlement grant webpage.

Community First Credit Union

Community First Credit Union offer interest free loans up to a maximum of £500. These loans are for those who are struggling to buy food, pay energy bills or buy essential items.

Who can apply

To apply you need to:

  • be a Community First account holder, or be willing to become one
  • be 18 years of age or over
  • have an established electronic payment into your Community First savings account. This could be a standing order or deduction from your wage. You also qualify if your wages or benefit payments are paid directly into the account.

How to apply

Call Community First on 03030 300010.

Barnsley College

Barnsley College can support eligible students and their families with:

  • food vouchers
  • energy arrears
  • wider essentials, such as hygiene products and clothing

Students and their family can email Barnsley College at householdsupportgrant@barnsley.ac.uk to request support. You need to include the name and date of birth of the current Barnsley College student, so eligibility can be checked. You can also call Barnsley College on 01226 216267.

Barnsley Borough City of Sanctuary 

Barnsley Borough City of Sanctuary work with asylum seekers and refugees. Those seeking sanctuary usually have a need for:

  • food and clothing
  • help with travel costs for things such as English classes and visits to Home Office interviews

Those that have achieved sanctuary are less in number, but have more diverse needs. This includes food, clothing and bedding.

Who can apply

Asylum seekers and refugees who are seeking or have achieved sanctuary in Barnsley.

How to apply

Email secretary.bbcos@gmail.com or call 07939 787192.

Educational Learning Support Hub (ELSH)

The ELSH look to bring people together through English. They deliver their entry level English course free to many people, including local vulnerable young people. They work with asylum seekers and refugee children to overcome the barriers of language as they settle into the area.

Who can apply

  • Refugees, asylum seekers and those who have settled in Barnsley from around the world.
  • You must be a student with ELSH.

How to apply

Email florentineboothaking@gmail.com or call 01226 643249.

Family hubs

Family hubs deliver early help services for children from pre-birth up to 19 years. If the young person has a disability they offer support up to 25 years.

Family hubs bring people together from a range of services in each local area. This includes those from:

  • schools
  • the police
  • social care
  • the private and voluntary sector
  • some adult services

The services they offer vary in each area of the borough. This depends on the needs of families and the wider community.

For full details of the services on offer in your area, visit the family hubs webpage.

Support in Central areas

Higham Cricket Club

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Coffee, craft and wellbeing sessions available.

  • Venue: Higham Cricket Club, Pog Well Lane, Higham, Barnsley, S75 1PH.
  • When: Monday to Thursday 7pm to 11pm, Friday 5pm to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 11pm.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation.

Support in Dearne areas

The Uniform Fairies 

Pre-loved uniforms for children and young people in the Dearne.

Who can apply

You must be a family who is struggling with the cost of buying a uniform for your child.

How to apply

All giveaways are advertised on the Uniform Fairy Facebook page.

Families are welcome to chat to volunteers and specific orders can be made if a pre-loved uniform isn’t available first.

Support in North areas

Ad-Astra - Athersley

Weekly food parcels which include dry and long-life items.

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

  • live in the St Helens ward
  • have a low household income
  • are in receipt of benefits, for example:
    • Universal Credit
    • Income Support
    • Pension Credit
    • Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
    • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • are a working single person, or a single person on a low income under £12,000 (after tax)
  • are an unemployed unpaid carer on welfare benefits
  • are a pensioner in receipt of Pension Credit

How to apply

Call 07462 805640 or email adastrabarnsleycic@gmail.com.

Romero Communities

Romero Communities is the only place in Barnsley where anyone can go for help from Monday to Wednesday mornings. You can be sure of a warm welcome and a friendly worker to listen and give you guidance.

Romero Communities deals with issues such as:

  • benefits
  • housing
  • debt
  • relationship problems
  • health issues
  • safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
  • problems associated with isolation and social exclusion

Support and guidance is available at Roundhouse Lifelong Learning Centre. The drop-in is open Monday to Wednesday from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

For an appointment please phone 01226 770390 or 07716 415648.

Crossroads Cafe

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Advice sessions are available, including coffee mornings, craft and wellbeing sessions.

  • Venue: Crossroads Cafe, 18 Barugh Green Road, Higham, Barnsley, S75 1JT.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation.

Support in North East areas

Grimethorpe Activity Zone 

Free food and a warm place to go with hot drinks.

Who can apply

People or families who live in Grimethorpe.

How to apply

Email gactivity1959@outlook.com or call 01226 713599. You can also visit the Grimethorpe Activity Zone at The Acorn Centre, 51 High Street, Grimethorpe, S72 7BB.

Royston Friends Association 

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Advice sessions are available, including coffee mornings, craft and wellbeing sessions.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation.

How to apply

Call Sue on 07944 479824 or email martinerfacommunity@outlook.com.

Support in South and Penistone areas

Darfield Cricket Club

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Coffee mornings, craft and wellbeing sessions.

  • Venue: Darfield Cricket Club, The Pavillion, School Street, Darfield, S73 9EZ.
  • When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation.

Forge Community Partnership

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Coffee mornings, craft and wellbeing sessions running from the Rockingham Centre and Cloughfields.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation. Contact Forge to attend:

Hoyland and Birdwell Methodist Church

A welcome space open to anyone in the area who is struggling. Coffee, craft and wellbeing sessions available.

  • Venue: Hoyland and Birdwell Methodist Church, Sheffield Road, Birdwell, S70 5XB.
  • When: Thursdays 12:30pm to 5pm.

Who can apply

Anyone suffering financial difficulties or social isolation.

Penistone Asylum Seekers and Refugee Support 

The group works with local service providers to help asylum seekers and refugees living in Barnsley. They support vulnerable households who are struggling with the cost of living.

Who can apply 

Support is targeted at female asylum seekers who aren't able to take paid employment whilst their application to remain in the UK is pending. They also help those who aren't in receipt of the extra government funds available to UK citizens to help with the cost of living.

How to apply 

You should attend the weekly meeting of the Refugee, Migrant and Asylum Seeker Women’s Group:

  • Venue: Hope House Community Cafe, 2 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP.
  • Day and time: every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.

For more details call Christina on 07917 135843.