Cost of Living Crisis

Jewish Community Cost of Living Crisis Support Hub

The UK is facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis. Disruption to gas, energy and food supplies have meant that average energy bills have risen significantly. High interest rates have increased the cost of mortgages and pushed up rental prices, with inflation outstripping wage growth. Whilst Government support packages have provided some welcome relief, it is likely that members of the community may find themselves in need of some support.

Learning from experience built in recent times of crisis and upheaval, there has been a concerted and sustained effort amongst both Jewish community and broader voluntary sector actors to ensure that services are effective, joined up and made as widely accessible as possible. The JLC’s Cost of Living Support Hub is designed to provide people in need in the Jewish community with access to the useful information, advice and support that is available to them from local authorities, Jewish communal organisations and wider voluntary sector services.

We hope this resource is helpful, please keep scrolling down to see the full range of services offered. To give feedback, or to provide information about services that you know about but are not mentioned here, please email info@thejlc.org.

Please note, this resource is for signposting and information only. Whilst we have systems in place to ensure that as much as possible, we are sharing trusted and legitimate organisations, they have not all been officially verified or approved by ourselves.

Useful Information - keep scrolling down for more sections

  • The government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for here.

  • Find out what benefits you may be entitled to using the calculator here.

    • Households with traditional prepayment meters urged to redeem energy bill vouchers before 30 June.

    • Energy Bills Support Scheme offered £400 off energy bills for six months.

    • 80% of vouchers redeemed, but £160 million still unclaimed.

    • Vouchers can be redeemed at Post Office or PayPoint top-up points.

    • Expired vouchers can be reissued before 30 June, contact energy supplier.

    • Visit gov.uk/helpforhouseholds for more information.

    • Advice for PPM customers provided:

      • Check if you received £400 vouchers between October 2022 and March 2023.

      • Claim vouchers before the deadline (30 June).

      • Contact supplier if vouchers are missing, lost, or expired.

      • Find supplier at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk using address and email.

      • Bring vouchers, ID, and meter key/card to Post Office or PayPoint.

      • The money is owed by the government and doesn't need to be repaid.

      • Check if others have received and used their vouchers.

It’s important to know what support may be available in your local area and we have worked with regional organisations to identify assistance across the country.

  • The JRC has released a guide to local Jewish sources of help with the effects of the cost of living crisis here.

  • To find out more about support offered within the Leeds Jewish Community please contact info@ljrc.org.

  • London Plus has created a list of organisations, to signpost and match support for those affected by the rising cost of living. Click here and scroll down to the “Access the Document” button.

The organisation’s listed below may be help to provide you with some advice, guidance or support. Click on the links below to find out more about their advice lines and other support services.

Please use the links below to find out more about what government support you may be entitled to.

  • Citizen Advice can give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

    Their national charity and network of local charities offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

    They have a specific page dedicated to the cost-of-living crisis here and you can find out how to speak to one of their advisors, online or over phone, here.

  • Paperweight offers a free service across the entire spectrum of the Jewish community which is available in-person across London, Manchester and Gateshead, and anywhere in the UK over Zoom. Paperweight can help people experiencing a crisis to navigate the everyday burden of dealing with the practicalities of your household paperwork and bureaucracy. Click here to find out more about their services or get in touch via 0330 174 4300 or email info@paperweight.org.uk.

  • Jewish Care Helpline

    Need Information, advice or support? Call Jewish Care Direct Helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org.

    All calls are confidential. If we're not open, leave a message on our answer machine and someone will call you back, or call us back at 8.30 in the morning (Mon-Fri).

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/services/helpline-jewish-care-direct

    Jewish Care’s Social Work and Community Support Services

    Jewish Care’s Social Work and Community Support team supports individuals, families, carers and communities by enabling people to make a meaningful difference to their lives, with dignity and choice.

    We can help:

    identify what support, care or services you need

    advise, co-ordinate and act on your behalf with local authorities

    signpost you to other helpful services

    provide support and advice for as long as required

    For more information, you can call our Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/services/community-support-social-work-service

    Jewish Care’s services are primarily for older people in the Jewish community and our support services also work closely with families and those who may need additional care and assistance.

  • British Gas Energy Trust are an independent charity set up to help families and individuals dealing with financial hardship and energy debt across England, Scotland and Wales. Find out what support they can offer here.

  • ACEVO have collated helpful resources for organisations here as have NCVO here.

We know that the cost-of-living crisis is likely to have a negative impact on people’s health, wellbeing and family life in a variety of ways. Please use the links below to learn more about community services to support you through any related challenges that may have been exacerbated during this time.

  • Jewish Care’s Helpline

    Need Information, advice or support? Call Jewish Care Direct Helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org

    All calls are confidential. If we're not open, leave a message on our answer machine and someone will call you back, or call us back at 8.30 in the morning (Mon-Fri).

    Through the Helpline you can also access the following services:

    Social Work and Community Support Services

    Jewish Care’s Social Work and Community Support team supports individuals, families, carers and communities by enabling people to make a meaningful difference to their lives, with dignity and choice.

    We can help:

    identify what support, care or services you need

    advise, co-ordinate and act on your behalf with local authorities

    signpost you to other helpful services

    provide support and advice for as long as required

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/services/community-support-social-work-service

    Jewish Care’s Supportive Community Groups

    Jewish Care’s Supportive Community Groups are informal social groups that bring communities together and help build friendships, in person and via Zoom. They offer the opportunity to join various social groups within your local community such as tea parties, Chaps that Chat (for men) Classical Music Appreciation Group, Bridge games, and more. Please get in touch to find out what’s going on in your area.

    For more information, you can call our Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org

    Jewish Care’s Jewish Helpline

    Our friendly, trained volunteers will listen to your worries or concerns however big or small, be they social, financial, religious or personal. This free service is confidential, anonymous, non-advisory and without judgement.

    We receive over 100 calls a month and callers come from a cross section of the community, including Charedi, Orthodox, Reform, Masorti, Liberal, and those who are non affiliated. Calls are taken regardless of gender, sexual orientation or religious observance.

    We listen to our callers with empathy, kindness and in a non-judgemental manner without giving specific advice. We have people who call us regularly, and some who may only call once during a particularly difficult time. Our callers talk to us in confidence about a wide range of issues and give as much or as little information as they like.

    You can call the Jewish Helpline on Freephone: 0800 652 9249 Landline: 020 3096 2875

    The Jewish Helpline is open Sunday – Thursday 12:00pm – 12:00am, Friday 12:00pm – 3pm. The Jewish Helpline is closed on Jewish holidays.

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/jewish-helpline

    Jewish Care’s services are primarily for older people in the Jewish community and our support services also work closely with families and those who may need additional care and assistance.

  • Jami provides mental health support to adults, children aged 11-18, families and carers.

    For more information visit jamiuk.org

    Online counselling and wellbeing support can be found at qwell.io/jami

    For immediate crisis support via Shout, text Jami to 85258.

  • Work Avenue provides people right across the community with essential lifelong skills to support themselves and their families by:

    • Providing advice and guidance to support people into or back into work

    • Placing people into suitable employment

    • Training people with contemporary and commercial skills

    • Increasing the success rate and long term sustainability of new and existing businesses

    • Providing a supportive shared workspace for entrepreneurs

    Click here to find out more, call 020 8371 3280 or email reception@theworkavenue.org.uk

  • JWA supports Jewish women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence. Find out how to get support from them here, call their helpline on 0808 801 0500 or email advice@jwa.org.uk. Always call 999 in an emergency.

  • Resource helps people get into employment. Dedicated advisors work 1:1 with clients to boost their confidence and build their skills, empowering them to find and secure the right job. Clients come from every walk of life, occupation and profession, regardless of any religious observance and can access a wide range of services, including writing effective CVs and job applications, networking, psychometric testing, IT skills, and mock interviews.

    To find out more please contact hello@resource-centre.org.

    For more information visit www.resource-centre.org.

  • Use turn2us to search for grants that you may be eligible for here.

  • The Trussell Trust has an interactive map of Food banks - find one local to you by clicking here.

  • Jewish Care’s Meals on Wheels

    Our Meals on Wheels delivery service offers nutritious, hot, kosher meals delivered straight to your doorstep.

    For more information, you can call our Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org.

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/community-services/meals-on-wheels

    Jewish Care’s services are primarily for older people in the Jewish community and our support services also work closely with families and those who may need additional care and assistance.

  • Some Local Authorities have funds ring-fenced for households in financial need. Please check your Local Authority’s website to see if they have a fund currently open. Note that eligibility criteria and restrictions on items that funds can be used to pay for may apply.

  • Some Synagogues may offer hardship funds or other forms of support. If you are a member of a local Synagogue, please be in touch with them to see how they may be able to help you.

  • If you’re struggling with domestic gas and electricity debts owed to British Gas or other suppliers, you may be eligible to apply for a grant from the Trust to clear that debt. Find out more here.

Public and community spaces across the country have committed to opening up their doors to provide a warm space for people to gather and socialise during the day. Find out more about any Warm Spaces (also known as “warm banks”) near you via the links below.

  • You can access maps to find a warm and welcoming space near you via Warm Spaces or Warm Welcome.

  • Jewish Care’s Community Centres

    Jewish Care provides community centres throughout London and the South-East. They are warm, inviting places where members will often spend time with others sharing activities, entertainment and meal times. All offer a regular programme of stimulating activities and entertainment for people of all ages, from art classes to Zumba, including exercise, discussions, computer lessons, social events, support groups and much, much more.

    For more information, you can call our Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org.

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/community

    Jewish Care’s Centres for People Living with Dementia

    Jewish Care has three Centres for People Living with Dementia, providing care and support for people who have been diagnosed with dementia. Our experienced and professional staff, work in close partnership with incredibly dedicated volunteers to offer a warm, friendly, family atmosphere. Members have the opportunity to connect with others, combatting loneliness, celebrating their Jewishness and expressing themselves and their culture, whilst being cared for. We deliver dementia-friendly activities, adapted so everyone can participate. This makes the timetable varied and interesting, including opportunities to be creative, exercise (such as table tennis and dance), and enjoy music.

    For more information, you can call our Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org

    https://www.jewishcare.org/how-we-can-help-you/services/dementia-services

    Jewish Care’s services are primarily for older people in the Jewish community and our support services also work closely with families and those who may need additional care and assistance.

  • Many Synagogues may run social activities on-site during the week. Please be in touch with your local Synagogue to find out more about their schedule.

  • Martin Lewis has funded CILIP, the library and information association, to publish a comprehensive set of guidelines: ‘A Warm Welcome. Setting up a warm space in your community’. Access this here.