Support with the cost of living: Where to get help

The cost of living crisis has been sparked by rising prices for pretty much all the essentials. Gas and electricity, water, housing, food and transport have all become more expensive in the past year or so. If you are struggling, it can be hard to know where to turn to help.

To make it easier to find out where to access support if you are struggling to pay the bills, we have put together a list of resources and links to useful information. Please note that some of these links are to support available in Leeds only.

Energy bills

GOV.UK: Getting the Energy Bills Support Scheme Discount

• Discount of £400 for every household on energy bills spread across six months, starting from October 2022
• Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount

GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme

• You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.
• Link: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Fuel Vouchers

• If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, you might be able to get a fuel voucher from Leeds City Council. Contact them using the details here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/benefits/help-with-food-and-bills

Winter Fuel Payment

• If you were born on or before 25^th September 1956, you could get a payment of between £250 and £600 to help pay your heating bills
• Link: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Green Doctor

• Free practical energy advice to help you save money, and keep you warm and well at home
• Link: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/

Home Plus (Leeds)

• Independent advice on energy, including switching suppliers, insulation and servicing and repairs
• Link: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/home-plus-leeds/

Scope: Disability Energy Support

• Scope offers free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping to manage energy and water needs
• Link: https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

Food bills

Getting food in an emergency

• To get a referral to a foodbank or an emergency food parcel, you need to either contact your support worker (if you have one) or call Leeds City Council on 0113 376 0330 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Local food banks

• Leeds North and West Foodbank: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/
• Leeds South and East Foodbank: https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/
• Middleton Food Bank: St Cross Vicarage, 65 Middleton Park Ave, Middleton, Leeds LS10
  • Mondays 09:30 – 11:30am, Please acquire a Referral
  • Refer through the following contact details: Call 07541 510835 or email [email protected]
• Holbeck Food Bank: https://holbeckfoodbank.org.uk/
• Right Choices Food Bank (in Headingley): http://www.rightchoices.gloweb.net/foodbank.html
• Otley Food Bank: https://otleyparishchurch.org/otleyfoodbank/
• Wetherby & District Foodbank: https://wetherbyanddistrict.foodbank.org.uk/

Other food aid

• Leeds Food Aid Network – Food Drop-ins: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/food-drop-ins/
• Food Pantries in Leeds: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/parish-pantries/
• Street Outreach for homeless people: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/street-outreach/
• Advice and support: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/advice-and-support/
• Free School Meals: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Housing

• Engage Leeds – support if you’re at risk of losing your home, want to live independently in your current home or be more involved in your community
  • Link: https://engageleeds.org.uk/
• Leeds Housing Options – if you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
  • Link: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk
• Better Leeds Communities – free housing advice available in-person or via phone/email
  • Link: https://betterleeds.org.uk/our-services/housing
• Our Way Leeds – support and accommodation service for young people aged 16-25 in Leeds
  • Link: https://ourwayleeds.org.uk/
• Shelter – national homelessness charity who have an advice hub on their website:
  • Link: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice
• Simon on the Streets – information on support available if you are homeless
  • Link: https://simononthestreets.co.uk/get-support/leeds

Money and benefits

• Citizens Advice Bureau – information on benefits, debt, consumer rights, housing and more
  • Link: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
• Chapeltown Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/chapeltown/
• Leeds Citizens Advice: https://citizensadviceleeds.org.uk/
• Money Information Centre – free, impartial advice on money-related matters like debt, money, energy and utilities
  • Link: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedsmic
• Money Buddies – a Leeds-based charity offering debt advice, budgeting support and more
  • Link: https://moneybuddies.org.uk/
• Better Leeds Communities – Debt and Finances advice:
  • Link: https://betterleeds.org.uk/our-services/debt-and-finances
• StepChange – a national debt advice charity
  • Link: https://www.stepchange.org/
• Welfare Rights Unit – a service from Leeds City Council giving free, impartial and confidential advice on a whole range of benefits
  • Link: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/benefits/welfare-rights
• Worried about money? – An online tool to quickly find relevant support/advice around your financial difficulties
  • Link: https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/leeds
• Disabled Bus Pass for West Yorkshire
  • Link: https://ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/blind-disabled/eligibility/

Warm spaces

Leeds City Council have put together an interactive map of warm spaces you can go to throughout the city. Spaces include council-run libraries and places of worship. To see the map, please go to this link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d6adbf692a7b4cfb8250b36bf8501a90/