Sainsbury's Retirement Savings Plan

for all colleagues

Member wellbeing and the cost-of-living crisis

With prices rising at their fastest rates in decades, and energy bills at unprecedented levels, many people will be worried about their finances – whether they’re working or not.

If you still work for the Company, you can make use of our Employee Assistance Programme, provided by Validium, which offers financial information and debt counselling. The service is completely confidential and free of charge to all Sainsbury’s colleagues. Support can be accessed at all times through a freephone number 0800 027 7777 or 0330 123 9653 from mobiles with contract minutes. If you’re calling from outside the UK, please dial +44 141 271 7155.

Make sure you’re claiming the correct benefits – this could increase your income as well as make you eligible for other types of assistance. The charity GroceryAid can help you maximise your income, by supporting you through the process of claiming benefits and also offering one-off grants to help in cases of immediate financial crisis. You can speak to one of their advisers by ringing 08088 021 122 or explore the resources on their website at www.groceryaid.org.uk. You can also find out more about benefits from your local Citizens Advice or visit gov.uk/browse/benefits

If you’re retired and finding it hard to make ends meet, see if you’re entitled to claim Pension Credit. This is a top-up to the State Pension for pensioners on a low income. Check if you’re eligible at gov.uk/pension-credit. Pension Credit unlocks a number of other benefits too – for example, you won’t have to pay for a TV licence if you receive Pension Credit and you’d be eligible to receive a Warm Home Discount worth £150 off your electricity bill. Once a Pension Credit application has been received, a claim decision will be sent out in the post within six weeks, but successful claims will be backdated to the date the application was made.

If you’re a woman and over State Pension Age, check if you’re entitled to a higher State Pension. This is because the Department for Work and Pensions underpaid many women who should have received something extra based on their husband’s National Insurance record. You can contact the Pension Service to see if you’re entitled to more: www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service

If you’re worried about day-to-day living costs, MoneyHelper has tips on how to manage all your different payments and deal with debt, if you’re struggling to pay your bills.

Help with energy costs

Every household will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills from October under the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Those paying for their energy via standard credit, payment card and direct debit will receive an automatic deduction to their bills over the six-month period. Prepayment meter customers will be provided with energy-bill discount vouchers from the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post, using the customer’s registered contact details. The government is concerned that thousands of prepayment vouchers have not been used. If you’ve lost your voucher, you can ask your energy supplier to reissue it.

Please be aware of scams relating to the rebate scheme. You do not need to claim it and you should not enter your details on any third-party website.

Other useful websites

MoneyHelper provides free and impartial money and debt advice (www.moneyhelper.org.uk). If you’re in debt, contact Step Change for impartial advice (www.stepchange.org). Other organisations you might find useful include: www.turn2us.org.uk and www.taxvol.org.uk