Funds to pay the bills

were being impacted as every household bill increased, with many struggling to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic impacted their jobs.

‘‘It’s really a universal issue – it’s not just certain groups of people.’’

Heading into winter it was only going to get tougher as power bills also went up, she said.

Fifeshire Foundation kaiwhakahaere/executive officer Shanine Hermsen said they had also seen a spike in people applying for assistance – as well as a shift in who was asking.

‘‘There’s people who wouldn’t previously have needed our help before.’’

Each month applications for help closed on the 25th, and they were already ahead of the same time last month, she said.

As well as bills, they were receiving a lot of applications for assistance getting firewood as winter approached, she said.

Many people were embarrassed to ask for help, but she urged people struggling to get in touch.

Everyone was struggling, she said. Bell also urged people to ask for help, and warned against telling people to just cut back their spending.

Budgeting was about finding a solution that worked for individuals, she said.

‘‘We want to be able to help people where they are in their life.’’

Often people would look at food as an easy expense to cut back on, which was not always the best option, she said.

‘‘You will see people on $10, $20 a week for food, which is not enough to keep a grown person functioning well.’’

The Budget Service and Fifeshire Foundation, along with Community Action Nelson, have also restarted the Warm Winter Scheme, where those who are receiving the winter energy payment but aren’t struggling can pay it forward to someone in need.

The funds were distributed to those who needed them to help with winter power bills, Bell said.

‘‘Quite often for people, that first month of winter is the worst ... we’re able to just take the edge off.’’

Those who donated their payment were ‘‘putting some real good into the world,’’ she said.

The winter energy payment is paid to everyone receiving the New Zealand super or veterans’ pension.

Community Action Nelson chair Penny Molnar encouraged those who were comfortable to pay it forward and help out others.

‘‘This is an opportunity to share with those who need this extra help.’’

‘‘There’s people who wouldn’t previously have needed our help before.’’ Shanine Hermsen,

Fifeshire Foundation