15-12-2022 Cost of Living Support

This page contains information about different forms of support for the cost of living. We will update this with additional information so please do check back for updates and additions. 

Easy Read information

The ‘My Life’ site aimed at young people with learning disabilities includes useful information about cost of living issues and sources of support here: Cost of Living (enfield.gov.uk)

Council and government information

See Cost of living support | Enfield Council for information on a wide range of sources of support

See the governments site: Help for Households - Get government cost of living support 

Food banks and other support with food

This document set out information about food support in Enfield including food pantries (heavily discounted food), Food Co-ops and other support with food. 

Information and map of Food Banks in the area Help with food | Enfield Council

Zebras Children and Adults Charity has a specific focus on the families of children and adults with disabilities. Their ‘Food for vulnerable families’ project provides fresh fruit and vegetables for vulnerable families for a 12 week period. For more information and to self-refer please see Community Help — Zebras Children & Adults Charity (zebrascacharity.org.uk)

The Enfield Food Alliance has information on Food Banks and Support Services in the area: Our members | Enfield Food Alliance

Food pantries offer food at heavily discounted prices. Members pay £4.50 per week which allows them to buy between £15 and £20 worth of healthy food. For more information see Community hubs and food pantry | Enfield Council

You may also like the Share too good to go app which you download here: Too Good To Go | Too Good To Go. You can use the app to rescue 'Surprise bags' filled with delicious, unsold food that would otherwise be wasted, from businesses near you (a wide range of stories are available including Morrisons, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Cafe Nero and many independent shops) and buy the food for as little as £2. 

Warm hubs

This booklet includes details of a range of different ‘warm hubs’ in our area providing a warm space, hot meals and more – see pages 6 to 8

You can also see information on warm hubs at Enfield libraries here: Warm spaces | Enfield Council

The Integrated Learning Disability Service are also hosting ‘warm spaces’ for People with Learning Disabilities. 

Holiday Activity and Food Programme

The Holiday Activity and Food Programme runs during the school holidays. This holiday provision is for school-aged children from reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals and attend an Enfield School and/or live in Enfield. The programme includes enriching and engaging activities as well as lunch.

Support if you are struggling financially and advice on benefits

If you are worried about the rising cost of living, you can check whether you can find support on the Local Authority’s welfare advice and support page and you can complete the financial support referral form.

If you're in crisis now and cannot afford food or essential items, need help completing the financial support referral form ring the Local Authority on 020 8379 1000 (select option 7), Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Enfield’s community hubs, based at Enfield Town Library (66 Church Street, EN2 6AX)  and Edmonton Green Library (36- 44 South Mall, Edmonton, N9 0TN) offer face to face advice to vulnerable people about financial issues. They are available from 9 am -5pm Monday to Friday.  

Advise on the benefits that you and your family may be entitled to can be found at Benefits & tax credits | Contact and on Carers UK’s page here Financial support | Carers UK

Locally, Enfield Carers Centre are a good source of advice on benefits and run regular advice sessions – see their events pages for the next sessions Events for January 2023 – Enfield Carers Centre

Get 50% savings boost with Help to Save

If you do have a small amount to put away as savings people on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit can boost their savings by 50% with the government’s Help to Save scheme.

Additional information