Getting help with the cost of living

If you are worried about money and bills, make sure you are getting the help and support that is available to you.

What support is available?

Get help with benefits, debts, housing costs and more. Call City Advice today on 020 7392 2919 (for those working and studying in the Square Mile, and those living in the Square Mile and on a City of London Corporation estate).

Take a look at our Winter Wellness Guide on our Help with Health and Wellbeing page.

Scam alert

We have been asked by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to alert residents about current text message scams.

Recently, a resident reported receiving a scam text and we have since received additional reports of similar fraudulent activity.

Below are examples of these scam messages:

One pertains to “cost of living payments.”
Another claims to be a “UK Home Office notification.”

Both messages have a similar layout and share the same malicious intent.

The DWP Counter Fraud Cyber Teams are aware of these scams and are actively working to shut down the fraudulent sites. While they have had some success, these scams are widespread and persistent.

Please stay vigilant and report any suspicious messages to Action Fraud.

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Help with benefits, housing costs and bills

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Emergency support scheme

Help with health and wellbeing

The Crisis and Resilience Fund

Supporting residents during difficult times

Many people experience moments of unexpected hardship such as financial shocks, emergencies, or sudden changes that make it difficult to manage essential living costs.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides short‑term support for residents who need immediate help to stay safe, secure, and stable.

This fund offers one‑off assistance, acting as a safety net when no other resources are available.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund aims to:

Provide effective crisis support to stop emergencies from happening, happening again or getting worse
Help people manage unexpected financial shocks and reduce the need for crisis help in the future
Strengthen local support networks helping people access the support they need, where and when they need it

When the fund can help

A crisis payment could be awarded where you have experienced financial shock, which is a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income, that can place pressure on your budget and wellbeing.

A financial shock can include

A flood, fire or other emergency, that has caused significant damage to or loss of possessions and property
A bereavement or accident
A health emergency or mental health crisis that has led to more costs
Leaving your home because of domestic abuse and needing immediate help e.g. with the costs of moving into a new property
A loss in income, such as losing your job, or getting less benefits
Needing to repair or replace an essential item, like a bed or a cooker

Who can apply

To apply, you must:

Be 18 or over
Live in the City of London
Be receiving a means-tested benefit or have a household income below £30,000

Types of support available

Cash payments (paid into a bank account or provided in an alternative secure format)
Payment of utility bills directly to your provider
Supermarket vouchers
Essential household items, such as furniture or white goods

Please note support may not cover the full cost of the item requested.

Further help and support is available:

Age UK City of London: support older residents to stay active, independent and connected.
City Advice: offers confidential and impartial advice on a number of topics.
Early Help: The Early Help team works alongside children and their families to support access to relevant services.
Help with education costs: Various grants and other forms of financial support are available to parents.
Forget Me Not Memory Café: Social activity for those with memory issues, long-term health conditions or isolation, and their carers.
Imago Carers: Support and advice for unpaid adult and young adult carers (16+) in the City.

Do you need help filling in a form or accessing a computer?

If you or someone you know needs access to a computer to make a claim, our lending libraries offer free access to computers, Wi-Fi, scanning and low cost printing/photocopying to make sure everyone has equal access to the support that is available to them. They can also offer basic IT skills support and can help you fill in forms.

You don't have to be a member (though we encourage you to sign up) and you can just turn up on the day to use the services. Visit the Wi-Fi, computers and printing page for more information.