If you are finding it hard to cover living costs, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. Citizens Advice have a full guide to getting help if you don’t have enough money to live on.

 

Can I claim benefits?

Help with debt 

Help with household bills

Help for key groups

If you're worried or anxious about the cost of living

Other sources of support

How Bromley Well can help

 

Can I claim benefits?

Lots of people miss out on benefits they’re entitled to - so it’s worth checking what you can get.  Even if you have work, savings or own a home, you might be able to claim.

A good place to start is by using a benefits checker. Find benefits checkers on the Citizens Advice website. 

 

Help with debt

If you owe money and are struggling to pay, Citizens Advice has information on the things you can do to help you get out of debt.   

Free support with managing debt and finances is available from Debt Free London and also Step Change who have a useful overview of financial support available for the rising cost of living. 

 

Easy Read Guide on how to get help if you don't have enough money to live on

Mencap has information and advice to support you with food, energy and money.  Visit Mencap's help here.

 

Help with household bills

Check what help you can get from Bromley Council including benefits, council tax support, disability allowances and the Bromley Welfare Fund.

For 2024 - 2025 there will be additional support for those in most need from the Bromley Household Support Fund, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions. 

SELCE are a local charity who help people on low-incomes and those with long term health conditions, older people and young families. Call 020 45666764 to speak to an energy advisor or look at the help with bills section on the SELCE website

Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - Citizens Advice have guidance on sources of help.

Check your energy supplier - many have schemes to help if you are on low income or vulnerable.

Thames Water have a WaterSure bill cap and WaterHelp schemes to help households in need of extra support. This includes low-income households, households with large families and those who have a water-dependent medical condition. Visit the Thames Water website or call Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm on  0800 980 8800.

If you're struggling to pay for food, you might be able to get a referral to a food bank in Bromley. Foodbanks work with local referral agencies who can provide the correct ongoing support for you.

You might be able to get help paying for NHS charges, for example: prescriptions dental treatment sight tests, glasses and contact lenses travel to NHS treatment. Read more and check if you're eligible for help from the NHS

'Social tariffs' are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.  Check Ofgem website for more information and how to apply.

Citizens Advice have information on their website about help with travel costs. Scroll down the page for the section on Help with Travel costs. It covers the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, bus passes, Oysters cards and support from your local council.

If you are on a low income, you might be able to get help with school costs.  This includes things like uniforms, travel and free school meals.

Find out what you can get help with on Citizens Advice website "Help with School Costs"

 

Help for key groups

Check Carers UK for support and guidance on cost of living and your finances.

Age UK have help on benefits, managing your money, debt, pensions and more.   

Find out on the Government website what support is available if you’re 60 or over in England. This includes checking your eligibility for Pension Credit, discounted travel and how to check your State Pension.

If you or someone you care for are Deaf, Disabled, or have a long term health condition, you could get financial support and advice to help with the extra costs of ill health or disability.  For a full guide to available support visit the Mayor of London's Financial help for Deaf and Disabled Londoners

The Mayor of London has a Migrant Londoners Hub which has information on work, housing, benefits and much more.

If you're worried or anxious about the cost of living

The cost of living crisis might be affecting your mental health or putting you under added pressure. Help is available. 

Check Mental Health and Money Advice website, the first UK-wide online advice service designed to help you understand, manage and improve your financial and mental health. Mental Health UK is a UK-wide charity.

For Londoners, check Thrive London for self help resources and where to get urgent help.

Cost of living crisis: How to look after your mental health from the team at Good Thinking, London’s digital mental wellbeing service, has put together this article to give you some practical tips and links to support organisations.

Greater London Authorities  Help With the Cost of Living online hub continues to be updated with a range of information to support Londoners, including on money and mental health.

 

Other sources of support and advice

The government's Help for Households website has information and tips on energy saving, energy bills, household costs, childcare costs, income support and travel costs. It has links to detailed guidance, eligibility and how to apply.

The Mayor of London website has Help with the Cost of Living covering income and budgeting, household bills,  family, childcare and food support.  

 

How Bromley Well can help

If you are a Bromley borough resident, Bromley Well provides free support.

Call freephone 0808 278 7898, or complete the online form 

 

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