Cost of living crisis

The financial year

Every five to six years, the calendar makes it so we have 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. This coming financial year, 2024 / 2025, is one of those special years.

If you get Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will only pay for 52 weeks of your rent in a year. In a 53 week financial year, this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.

We will be using the Household Support Fund to try and lessen the impact on Lewisham Council tenants who are affected by this issue and struggling financially due to the cost-of-living crisis. We will be prioritising Lewisham Council tenants already in rent arrears.

If you're impacted by the 53 week issue and you're struggling financially, please contact the Welfare Benefits Team at lh-welfarebenefts@lewisham.gov.uk or call 0800 028 2028 option 2 then option 5. You will need to supply evidence of your current UC claim to be considered.

If you are not a council tenant, we advise you to contact your landlord to discuss any available support.

If you are receiving Housing Benefits, you will not be affected by this issue, as Housing Benefit is paid weekly for each week it is charged.

Housing benefit

If you're on housing benefit, you won't be affected by this issue as it's paid every week that it's charged.

If you need support and you would like to talk to someone, we have launched a range of drop-in advice services across the borough in partnership with Citizens Advice Lewisham:

• Clyde Family Hub SE8 5NH, every Tuesday, 1pm-5pm
• St John the Baptist Church SE6 2RP, every Wednesday, 12 noon-2pm
• 999 Club SE8 4PA , every Wednesday, 10am-2pm
• Perry Rise Baptist Church SE23 2QL, every Thursday, 12 noon-2pm

Warm Welcomes

We've worked with Lewisham Local to coordinate a network of Warm Welcomes to help residents this winter – spaces in the community, offering hot drinks, social activities, food and additional support. Find your nearest Warm Welcome and see what’s on offer.

These also include our libraries – find your nearest library and see their opening times.

Food support

• find a list of community projects offering free or low-cost food
• find a list of free and low-cost food on offer over Christmas

Coping with money worries

• Advice Lewisham can be reached on 0800 231 5453 for enquiries about benefits, housing, debt, employment, immigration, family & consumer issues
• you can also speak to the independent organisation Money Helper online or call 0800 138 7777 for free, confidential advice
• use the online worrying about money form, and see what support is available for you locally in Lewisham
• you might be missing out on money that you are entitled to. Visit turn2us to find out what benefits or grants you can get
• Lewisham Plus Credit Union can help you with savings and affordable loans
• The Mayor of London has made many forms of support available for Londoners, from free school meals to skills training and money advice. Find out about what you are entitled to

Help with household bills

• get energy advice and support from our partners at South East London Community Energy (SELCE)
• if you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit you could switch to cheaper broadband or phone packages from OFCOM
• check if you are eligible to get help with your energy bills over winter
• find out how we’re using the Household Support Fund to support residents

Help with employment and training

• see if you’re entitled to reduced fees on Lewisham’s Adult Education courses
• contact Lewisham Works, a free service to support unemployed residents in to good jobs, by emailing JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk
• if you’re in work but need advice and support to improve your employment situation, Better Work Lewisham can help you – call 020 7709 8064 / 8063 or email BetterWorkLewisham@stgilestrust.org.uk

Extra support if you have children

• if you're pregnant or have a young child, check what help you can get to buy food and milk with the NHS Healthy Start
• some two-year-olds are eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare per week – learn about free early education for two-year-olds 
• some working parents of three- and four-year-olds can also apply for up to 30 free hours childcare per week
• the Bank of Things in Unit 19 at Lewisham Shopping Centre provides everyday necessities (not food) to young people aged 11 to 25
• check online if your child is entitled to free school meals

Health and well-being advice

• Community Connections Lewisham provide options for help and can link you up to support services (Available Monday to Fridays 9.30am to 4pm on 0330 058 3464)
• Mental Health & Money Advice provide practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money
• NHS Help with Health Costs scheme – if you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for things like NHS prescription charges
• the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme provides advice, treatment and medicines for minor illnesses from your local pharmacy and the medicines offered are free of charge if you don’t usually pay for your prescriptions – find out more from your local pharmacy

Staying warm support

• if you're over 65, on a low income, or have a long term health condition or disability, you can sign up for a support package to help them keep warm in the colder months – see if you are eligible for the scheme
• see if you're eligible for Warm Home Discount scheme – you could receive £150 off your winter electricity bill

Support for veterans

• financial And employment support - Royal British Legion

• benefits and concessions for the armed forces, veterans and their families - Citizens Advice

How you can help

• support Lewisham Foodbank – donate at lewisham.foodbank.org.uk
• volunteer with Lewisham Local to help at local food banks and other support initiatives