Cost of Living Support
The cost of living crisis is leaving people in our community facing impossible choices. With food prices, heating bills, and inflation soaring, I know this is an incredibly difficult time for my constituents.
To help people through the cost of living crisis, I have created the following advice page outlining a range of support that constituents may be eligible for, including government schemes, grants, information from local organisations, charities and more.
Cost of Living Payments
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.
You do not need to apply. You’ll be paid automatically.
Low income benefits and tax credits
Energy bills
Support is available for households struggling to afford their energy bills.
You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers. Citizens Advice have a comprehensive advice hub on support which you can view here.
Smart Energy GB has worked with fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) and Energy Action Scotland (EAS) to create a simple guide for anyone who may be worried about their energy bills and falling into debt here.
Energy UK has published advice for energy bills this winter here.
Housing
Enfield Council is providing support for people facing housing challenges during the cost of living crisis.
Constituents may be eligible to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from Enfield Council if you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs and think that you need extra help paying your rent. More information can be found here.
Households may be eligible for a discount, disregard or exemption on Council Tax, which you can apply for here.
Turn2Us can offer support and advice regarding managing debt and grants that may be available to you.
No Recourse to Public Funds
People who are granted leave to enter or remain in the UK for a limited period will usually be subject to a ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) condition. You can apply to have this condition removed if your circumstances have changed.
You can submit an application here.
Further advice from the NRPF Network can be found here.
Children and young people
Free School Meals
Check if your child qualifies for free school meals here.
Essentials
If you require clothing or equipment for a baby, GrowBaby may be able to assist you. Further details here.
Breakfast clubs
Carer’s Breakfast Club for over 50’s and their carer: ageuk.org.uk
Enfield Council Grants for Breakfast Clubs: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/healthandwellbeing/grants-for-breakfast-clubs
Food and essentials
For those struggling with the cost of food and basic essentials, there are a number of food banks supporting our local community.
Food banks
St Monica’s Church, N13 4DH
North Enfield food bank, EN1 1FS
St John the Evangelist, N13 4DA
The food bank runs on Fridays between 12-2pm at the front of the church. It is for anyone to come to, no paperwork needed, it is just a case of queuing up. The food bank will be running over the holiday period. Each person gets a bag of groceries including fresh items, a packed lunch and hot meal to take away. If you need toiletries please ask the person on the door.
St Andrew’s Southgate, N14 5PP
The food bank is open every Saturday 10-12 at the Church, not the hall and anyone can access the food bank.
Cooking Champions community kitchen
The Cooking Champions community kitchen is open every Friday at St Matthew’s Church, South Street, Ponders End EN3 4LA.
Asda’s Winter Warmer programme
Asda is offering everyone aged 60 and over the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in its in-store Asda cafes, all day and every day throughout November and December. This initiative will run alongside the current ‘Kids Eat for £1’ offer, which runs until the end of the year.
Benefits checker
Check which benefits you may be eligible for here.
Warm banks
Find warm spaces in Enfield here: Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Warmer Homes programme
Around 9,600 households in Enfield could be eligible for the Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes programme, which will make grants of between £5,000 to £25,000 available to low-income households to make homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run.
Funding is available for low-income households living in low energy efficiency homes and includes grants for measures including:
– Heat pumps
– Insulation for walls, lofts and floors
– Heating system improvements or repairs
– Draught proofing
– Solar energy installations
More information about the Warmer Homes programme can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/improving-quality/warmer-homes
British Heart Foundation: Cost of living support
There is cost of living information and support from the BHF. This includes financial support for those with a heart condition, eating healthily on a budget, simple energy saving tips, getting fit for free and how people can look after their emotional wellbeing.