Cost of Living Assistance
As you are aware, we are currently living in a Cost of Living crisis and this will impact immensely on all of us. We understand that some patient groups will be more vulnerable to the effects of this crisis than others.
Rising prices are impacting every single household, but the reality is that the least affluent are being hardest hit. With a greater percentage of their household income going on essentials such as food and energy, many households are already struggling to cope.
Being able to identify and support those in greatest need is now at the forefront of Trust wide services.
Below are useful links that could assist you and your families. This list is not exhaustive, but covers the main areas available to assist. This includes what financial assistance is available to you.
General links and resources
Entitled to (Benefits check)
Find a food bank
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
Baking a difference
Baking a difference | Free Cakes for Kids UK
Help for households
Help for Households - Get government cost of living support
Hub of Hope (Put in postcode and search for local services)
Mayor of London information
Help with the cost of living | London City Hall
Tax free childcare
£2,000 in government funding available to help with childcare costs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Substance/alcohol misuse
https://www.changegrowlive.org/
Domestic abuse
Women's Aid
Warm Spaces
Warm Welcome
Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Community equiptment power usage
NELFT Community Equipment Power Usage information leaflet.pdf [pdf] 103KB
Your situation - Turn2us
Independent Food Aid Network UK
Independent Food Aid Network UK
Help with your heating costs - Asthma + Lung UK
Help with your heating costs | Asthma + Lung UK (blf.org.uk)
Get help from your supplier - Ofgem
Get help from your supplier - Priority Services Register | Ofgem
Scope - Assistance for disabled people and their carers
Money worries
Advice for employees on sickness absence and sick pay if you need to take time off due to chronic pain, from ACAS
Government information regarding financial support for disabilities
www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/disability-and-sickness-benefits
How to claim universal credit and other benefits
www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/employment-and-benefits-support/
How to claim back your healthcare travel costs
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/
How to adapt your home, home safety, and moving to get more support
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/housing-options/
Financial, practical, employment, technology and wellbeing support for carers
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/
Cheaper broadband
Cheaper broadband for struggling families: 14 August 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
StepChange
About StepChange. The UK's Largest Debt Charity.
Citizens Advice - Get help with the cost of living
Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
Stop Loan Sharks
Managing your mental health
Guidance for supporting your mental health and wellbeing
NHS top tips for coping with anxiety
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/anxiety/
Information to support your wellbeing (from mental health charity Mind)
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Find NHS Psychological Therapies
www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008
Confidential, emotional support from Samaritans, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham money
Step Change - Debt charity
https://www.stepchange.org/debt-test.aspx
Discretionary hardship support
Free school meals
https://eforms.lbbd.gov.uk/free-school-meals
DABD
Citizens Advice - Barking and Dagenham
Citizen's Advice Barking & Dagenham
YMCA Warm Spaces
Warm Spaces list
London Borough of Havering
Money advice and beneifts help - Havering Borough council
Support to help with the Cost of Living
Havering emergency assistance scheme
https://www.dabd.org.uk/help-and-advice/help-with-money/havering-emergency-assistance-scheme
Havering citizens advice
Homepage - Citizens Advice Havering
YMCA Warm Spaces
Data Poverty
Are you struggling to access information and support, because you don't have enough mobile phone data?
Core20Plus5 have teamed up with Data Tank to supply those in need in Havering with extra mobile phone data to ensure that they can access support and information, such as booking GP appointments.
If you or somone you know is on a low income and doesn't have access to the internet at home, please contact us to see if you qualify for assistance.
The application process is quick and simple if you meet the criteria. Let's solve mobile/internet data poverty together!
Contact 01708 432285 or email Core20plus5NHS@havering.gov.uk.
London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge website
Citizens Advice Redbridge
One Place East
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest council
https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/
Cost of Living crisis/Cost of doing business
https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/cost-of-doing-business
Citizens Advice - Waltham Forest
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/waltham-forest/
Waltham Forest disability resource
Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre | London Borough of Waltham Forest
Essex and Kent
Porchlight - Help for homes and families
Kent County Council - Media Hub
Choice Support | Kent, Medway and Essex
Kent County Council - Disability
Choice Support | Kent, Medway and Essex
Living with a disability
Disabilities and health conditions | Essex County Council
Kent health and wellbeing
https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent/looking-after-your-health-and-wellbeing/
Essex County Council
Health and wellbeing services
https://www.essex.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-services/support-for-alcohol-and-drug-problems