These are difficult times for everyone and we want to ensure all families are aware of the different support available locally to help you and your family get through the cost-of-living crisis.
If you need any further support, we are always here for you. Although we do not hold hardship funds ourselves we will put you in touch with those who can help.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB): You don’t have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), you just need to be a resident of the local area. The CAB can help you with:
- Getting benefits or organising other financial support
- Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)
Westminster CAB is based at The Stowe Centre 258 Harrow Road, London, W2 5ES
If you are outside Westminster Visit the Citizens Advice website to find your local branch to book an appointment.
Westminster Family Hub
Contact Westminster Family Hub to get help accessing all the support you are entitled to.
If you live outside Westminster you can find your local hub here: Find your local hub
Check you’re paying the right amount of tax
Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out.
Claim any benefits you’re entitled to
Use 1 of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming:
- Find contact details for services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Turn2us
- Policy in Practice
Support for migrant families – use this calculator if you are a migrant family, or if you have no recourse to public funds (meaning you’re not entitled to the majority of welfare benefits)
You may be able to get benefits paid early if you need cash urgently – this is known as ‘a short-term benefit advance’. You will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office at that’s dealing with your claim.
If you need debt advice contact Stepchange
Contact Shelter if you’re having issues related to housing
Contact the Salvation Army for emergency assistance
Single parents can get support from Gingerbread
Check you’ve received all the government’s cost-of-living payments
The government’s cost-of-living payments are available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.
If you think you’re due a payment but haven’t received one, report a missing payment to the government.
Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost-of-living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.
Find out what help you can get with your energy bills
Take a look at these resources from the British Gas Energy Trust and the Money Saving Expert.
Get free or low-cost food
If you are worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are
a number of places offering support.
- If you have a child under 4, and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to healthy start food vouchers
- Westminster Food Banks or community food suppliers/support : Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Soup Kitchens in Westminster MD
- Further foodbanks are here: Bankuet, The Independent Food Aid Network, the Trussell Trust, or your local community fridge
- Use food waste apps and websites like Olio (for free food and household items from your local community), Too Good To Go (for low-cost food from local restaurants), or Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best before date, but is still safe to eat)
- Become a member of a local pantry. These organisations sell food to their members at a reduced price. Find out if there’s one near you by checking these websites: Your Local Pantry
- Westbourne Park Pantry, Westbourne Park Baptists Church, Corner of Porchester Road and Westbourne Park Villas, London W2 5DX 0207 727 6019
- Get more tips on free and cheap meals from Which
- See our news post about free lunches: Let’s Lunch
- See our news post about free Holiday Activities and Food for children
Free hygiene products
- Food banks may offer free toiletries and sanitary products. Check with your local food bank to see what’s available
- Find the cheapest disposable sanitary products on Sanitary Saver
Replace or repair household items at a low cost or for free
Check if you can get broken household goods replaced or repaired by your local community.
- Get free household goods on Freecycle
- Get help with DIY repairs at a Repair Cafe
Find a warm space to beat the chill
Some community spaces open their doors to provide a safe and warm space for a few hours. Many also offer hot drinks and wifi.
In Westminster there are warm spaces offered in community spaces on different days, they include hot drinks and wifi, some also include optional activities. They are all free and everyone is welcome (i.e. if the space is run by a church it is not limited to people who are of that faith).
- St Paul’s Church 5 Rossmore Road, London NW1 6NJ
- Salvation Army, 55 Chichester Road, Kilburn , London NW6 5QW
- Bishop Radford Trust, Devonshire House, London , London W1W 5DR
In the winter months more information can be found at Warm Welcome and Warm Spaces
Caritas Westminster
This leaflet contains further information about the support available locally across Westminster.
Firm Foundations In A Cost of Living Crisis
You are not alone and we are here to support you so please do get in touch if you need any help.
Thank you to David Tomlinson, Barrow Hill Junior School for sharing many of the links above and to The Key. We are luck to live and work within such a supportive community.
Together through Christ we grow and learn.