GENERAL ADVICE
Waltham Forest council has outlined an overview of a range of support available for residents with a focus on lower bills and warmer homes; keeping children warm and fed; and connecting residents with jobs and skills and delivering good growth.
Waltham Forest council can be reached on 020 8496 3000
Request a 'check in' call 07979276623
Cost of Living Hub for Londoners helps Londoners access information, support and advice to help manage household finances. It includes a wide range of information about claiming benefits, help dealing with debt, financial management and mental health support.
Help For Households outlines government services and information to help with the rising cost of living.
Citizens Advice provides a helpful overview of how to reduce your regular living costs.
Waltham Forest Citizens Advice can be reached on 08082787838.
MAXIMISING YOUR INCOME
Entitled to has an online benefits calculator to check what you may be entitled to.
Citizens Advice can assist with assessing your current income and ensuring you are getting your full benefit entitlements
Waltham Forest Citizens Advice can be reached on 0808 278 7838
Waltham Forest Local Welfare Assistance is financial support to help you if you are in such severe financial hardship that you cannot afford basic essentials, especially if there is a risk to health or safety.
Budgeting Loan you may be eligible for a budgeting loan if you claim certain benefits.
Turn2us to search for one-off charitable grants.
Gingerbread offers expert advice to single parents on a range of issues 0808 802 0925
MANAGING DEBT
If you are worried about debt, please seek appropriate advice. The following organisations offer free and impartial advice and may be able to help.
In the first instance, get in contact with the organisation you owe money to. Ask them to pause repayments or arrange a repayment plan with the help of one of the following organisations.
StepChange can offer free advice on debt and your legal rights if you are being chased for any debts.
Stepchange can be reached on 0800 138 1111
Citizens Advice can offer debt advice.
Waltham Forest Citizens Advice can be reached on
0808 278 7838
Debt Free London 0800 808 5700
National Debtline 0808 808 4000
If you are worried about bailiffs, it's important to know your rights and seek help immediately:
HELP WITH FOOD
If you are concerned about feeding yourself or your family there are several foodbanks offering services in Walthamstow, including PL84U, Eat or Heat, and the Rukhsana Khan Foundation, You can get in touch with them through their websites or if you would like to send a referral on your behalf, please let us know.
'Wednesday Supper Club' 7.30pm
Priory Court Community Centre, E17 5NB
The Christian Kitchen
Mission Grove Car Park 7.30pm-9pm
Free hot food every night of the week
The Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street
Tuesdays 1-2pm Free lunch
Thursdays 5pm-7pm Free food and entertainment
Community Pantry at Stafford Hall
Stafford Hall E17 8JY (next to St Barnabas Church)
Pay £4.50 and get £15 worth of groceries e.g. fruit and veg, tea and coffee, and more. Please bring your own bag.
Thursdays 3pm-6.30pm
07445 968 142 / Averil.watan@gmail.com / Paulworham@gmail.com
Free School Meals: Apply online or speak to your school.....
UTILITY BILLS
Warm Home Discount If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to £140 off your electricity bill through the government’s Warm Home Discount. This is in addition to the Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment.
Thames Water offers financial support to those on low incomes through their WaterHelp and WaterSure schemes.
HEET is a not-for-profit organisation working locally to help households save money on fuel bills, stay warm and healthy at home and save energy/cut carbon.
OTHER SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Walthamstow Warm Spaces showing local community living rooms and other free warm spaces for use in the cold weather.
Baby Banks help provide baby essentials such as clothes and toys.
Lloyd Park Children's Charity also operates baby banks in Lloyd Park Centre (020 8531 9522) and Walthamstow Children and Family Centre Hub (020 8527 1737). If you need a referral, this can be made by a midwife, family support worker, health visitor, foodbank, social worker, your MP or a Children’s Centre.
Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre offers a space where children can play and borrow toys to play with at home. Call 020 8509 3401.....
Healthy Start: If you're at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old and receive certain benefits, you might be able to get free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk. Ask your midwife or health visitor for an application form. You can also call the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823 and ask them to send you a form.
LOCAL DOMESTIC ABUSE SUPPORT SERVICES
walthamforestIDSVAservice@solacewomensaid.org
0808 802 5565
07340683382
Contacting my office
Please note you can reach my office via the email address office@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk or on 020 8521 1223 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
My staff and I hold regular online surgeries to meet with local residents. To book into these please call the office or email the above contact email with details of what you wish to discuss, and your address to confirm you are a Walthamstow resident.
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