Support With Cost of Living
With the cost of living rising, many families across the country are struggling with the cost of food and energy. On this page is a list of organisations that may be able to offer help and support to those who are struggling to meet the demands of the rising costs. We are always available to offer guidance if you are experiencing difficulties at this time.
Organisations Offering Support in Hackney
Click the link below for a practical guide outlining the support available for Hackney residents during the cost of living crisis:
Household Support Fund
Funding Administered by Hackney Council to support vulnerable households meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities and runs from 6th October 2021 to 31st March 2022 and 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2023:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils
Council Tax Help
Hackney residents can apply for up to £80 reduction a month on their Council Tax bill.
Tel: 020 8356 3399 or visit https://hackney.gov.uk/council-tax-reduction-claim
Support Paying Energy Bills
A further £193k has been distributed so far to help people struggling to pay their energy bills. These government-funded grants will help towards the rising cost of living for thousands of residents who are on low incomes.
Tel: 020 8356 3111 or https://www.grantapproval.co.uk/
Support with Housing Costs
The Council can make Discretionary Housing Payments to help those experiencing difficulty meeting housing costs, supporting residents whose rent is not met in full by housing benefit or universal credit or have a temporary situation which makes it difficult to pay their rent. https://hackney-framework.egovhub.net/DHPform/launch
Low Cost Community Food Shops:
These shops do not provide vouchers but food at a low cost for a minimum contribution:
Woodberry Aid - 24 Bouverie Road, London, N16 OAJ - Tuesday 12pm to 2.30pm only
N16 Community shop - Catholic Church our Lady of Good Counsel, Unit A, Hartingtons Court, Coster Avenue, London, N4 2WQ - Friday 12pm to 2pm only
Organisations that can Issue Food Vouchers:
Fair Money Advice (finance and debt advice): https://www.fairfinance.org.uk/advice/ 0203 475 8811
Riverside Engage Hackney (housing): 0800 953 4044
Turning Point (addiction and mental health): https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/city-hackney
Citizens Advice Bureau East End: http://www.eastendcab.org.uk/ or call the Help Through Hardship line: 0808 2082138 (freephone) or 020 3855 4472
Mind in Hackney (mental health): https://www.mindchwf.org.uk/
Greenhouse Project (homelessness) https://www.homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/service/thamesreach-greenhouse-walk-in-centre
Shoreditch Trust (health and wellbeing): Mon-Fri 9:30am to 5pm 0203 5599 234 or 0207 0338 500, or email connect@shoreditchtrust.org.uk
British Red Cross Refugee Service: Email: LondonRU@redcross.org.uk or call: 020 7704 5670
Hackney Council Housing: https://hackney.gov.uk/housing-options
Hackney Coronavirus Financial Support and Advice: https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-financial-support
Hackney Discretionary Crisis Support Scheme: https://hackney.gov.uk/discretionary-crisis-support-scheme
Welfare Grant Organisations
NRPF financial assistance hardship fund
Support When It Matters (SWIM) is leading a partnership that has been grant-funded by Hackney Council to distribute financial assistance to residents financially impacted by the coronavirus crisis who are unable to access the welfare system due to the condition ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) applied on their immigration status.
Financial assistance is to be used to help with items like emergency help with food, reconnection of fuel supply, cost of utilities, help with travel, toiletries, basic communication needs, rent arrears, basic clothing, baby essentials, prescriptions or rent deposits. For further details click here or email one of the partner organisations:
• SWIM – Email Angeline or call 07862 071 008
• Refugee Women’s Association – Email Jasmina or call 07435 753 179
• Middle Eastern Women in Society – Email Halaleh or call 07958 145 666
• Kanlungan Filipino Consortium – Email Florence or call 0203 893 1871
Turn2us
This website has details of a large number of grant awarding charities and help and information on benefits. https://www.turn2us.org.uk
Hornsey Parochial Charities
Individual grants to people in hardship. Tel: 020 8352 1601
Website: www.hornseycharities.com Email: hornseypc@blueyonder.co.uk
Shelter
Shelter provide support to people in hardship to apply to charities and grant making and welfare organisations for support and help.
Shelter (Hackney Branch) Tel: 0344 515 1447
The Talisman Charitable Trust
One-off and recurrent grants are available for people in the UK who are living on a very low income. Grants can be used for Clothing, Fuel bills, Household bills, Household essentials, Medical and welfare needs.
Basement Office 354 Kennington Road London SE11 4LD Web: http://www.talismancharity.org