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Southwark Council is here to help you during the cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living webpages detail lots of support and help available now.
Check what money you're entitled to
About 30,000 low-income Southwark households got support in August and September 2022 from our £5m Cost of Living Fund. We will announce more support through our Cost of Living Fund soon.
1. Check if you could get a Council Tax reduction
You could get Council Tax reduction if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%, depending on your circumstances.
2. Check what benefits you're entitled to
Answer a few quick questions about your personal circumstances and check you're getting all the benefits and other financial support you're eligible for.
If you’re housebound or have a vulnerable person in your home, we can check you are getting all the welfare benefits you can and help you make a claim.
3. Get help in an emergency or crisis
We run an emergency support scheme if you're facing a crisis, and a hardship fund if you're in debt with bills. There is also support available from local charities.
Help with energy bills
More than 100,000 eligible Southwark residents have now received their £150 Council Tax rebate to help with energy bills. More help is detailed below.
1. Which home appliances waste the most energy?
The Energy Saving Trust has information about which appliances in your home use the most electricity and tips on how to use them as efficiently as possible.
2. Get a home improvement grant to help reduce your winter fuel bills
You could get a grant of up to £25,000 to improve your home and save money on your energy bills, through the Mayor of London's Warmer Homes scheme.
3. Get energy saving advice and free gadgets
If you are vulnerable or on a low income, Groundwork’s Green Doctors can help you make energy-saving improvements in your home. You can get advice on the phone, or they visit your property. They may even give you some free energy-saving gadgets!
4. Join our green savers mailing list
Join our green savers email list to get regular tips to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
1. Free swim and gym in Southwark
Southwark residents can use swimming pools and gyms at our leisure centres, free of charge, at certain times as part of our Free Swim and Gym programme.
2. Get a free leisure centre day pass
Get a free day pass to the gym, exercise classes and swimming pool at your local leisure centre in Southwark. (This offer is for new customers only.)
3. Use the free outdoor gym equipment in our parks
Lots of our parks also have outdoor gym equipment you can use free of charge.
Get help with food
1. Help to get food if you can’t afford or access it
You can get help in Southwark if you're struggling to afford food. There are low-cost food pantries, community fridges, fruit and veg vouchers schemes for families and other support services available.
2. Free school meals for primary-aged children
All children in maintained primary or nursery schools in Southwark can get a free school meal. You can choose a free healthy school meal for your child instead of a packed lunch.
3. Free healthy food and milk for your young child
If you get Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, and have a child under four (or are at least 10 weeks' pregnant), you may be able to get a Healthy Start Card, with money on it, which you can use to buy milk and healthy food in some shops.
Enjoy free films, books and Wi-Fi and computer use with your library card
1. Free: become a library member now
To get free films, borrow books, computer access and a range of other things, become a library member now. You'll get a temporary membership number straight away. You'll then need to bring ID to a library to confirm your membership.
2. Use a computer and get free Wi-Fi at libraries
We offer free Wi-Fi in all of our libraries. If you're a library member, you can book a computer online up to a week in advance.
3. Stream films free of charge
Stream classic cinema, world cinema, indie film, and top documentaries with our free film streaming service. You just need your library card number.
Other cost of living support
1. Find mental health and wellbeing support
If the increased cost of living is affecting your mental health there is help available.
2. Help to find a job and career advice
We work with Southwark Works who can help you find a job and give you career advice. There are also lots of other local organisations that can help too.
3. Save money with our reusable nappy packs trial
Real nappies are reusable nappies for your baby. You can save you up to £500 per child – and help reduce your household waste by nearly half. We’re offering a free trial for Southwark parents, where we post a set of real nappies to you.
4. Get medicines or health care advice free from your local pharmacy
You can get professional health care advice, treatments, and medicines for common illnesses from your local pharmacy, without the need for an appointment. If you don't pay for your prescriptions, any medicine recommended to you will be free.
5. Cheaper broadband and phone packages if you get benefits
If you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits you might be able to cheaper broadband and phone packages.
6. Domestic abuse and how to get help
If you're experiencing any kind of domestic or sexual abuse, help is available from the Southwark Advocacy and Support Services. They support people aged 16 and above, who live in Southwark, at risk of domestic or sexual abuse.
Call 020 7593 1290 or email southwark@solacewomensaid.org.
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