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Cost of Living Support

Get in touch with us to let us know if you’re struggling with your finances

Deptford Green School will do all we can to support you and your families during this challenging time. We know everyone is feeling the pinch this winter and we want to support those families in our school community who are impacted the most. If you’re struggling with your finances, please do get in touch to let us know, as there may be things, we can suggest which will help. We want to do everything we can to help you and your child through this difficult winter.

Check to see if your child is now entitled to free school meals (FSM)

If your child is eligible for free school meals (FSM) you need to get them registered. This will allow them to get a free meal at school, and we’ll get extra funding to support your child’s learning. Click here Apply for Free School Meals Online to apply and read information, or contact our school office on 0208-691-3236 for more information.

 

 

Contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or Family Hub

Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

You don’t have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local CAB, you just need to be a resident of the local area. The CAB can help you with:

  • Getting benefits or other financial support organised
  • Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)

Visit the Citizens Advice’s website or contact your local branch to book an appointment. Freephone Lewisham Advice Line is open. Call us on 0800 231 5453 to talk to an advisor (Mon to Fri, 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:00pm).

Family Hub

Contact your local Family Hub to get help accessing all the support you might need as a family. The closest Family Hub to Deptford Green School is Bessborough Family Hub in Westminster. The lead contact is Catherine Drake Wilkes and the email address is: cdrakewilkes@westminster.gov.uk

Check you’re paying the right amount of tax

Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out.

Claim any benefits you’re entitled to

Use one of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming:

You may be able to get benefits paid early if you’re already feeling the squeeze - this is known as ‘a short-term benefit advance’ - you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office that’s dealing with your claim.

Check you’ve received all the government’s cost of living payments

The government’s cost of living payment is available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.

If you think you’re due a payment, but haven’t received one – report a missing payment to the government here.

Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost of living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.

Find out what help you can get with your energy bills

Take a look at these resources from Simple Energy Advice, the British Gas Energy Trust and the Money Saving Expert website.

See what other support you can get from your local authority

Lewisham and other Local Authorities have lots of other support and schemes that you might be eligible for, including:

 To find out more for Lewisham go to https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/cost-of-living

Get free or low-cost food

If you’re worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are a number of places offering support. Here are the local foodbank opening times and locations.

Find other local foodbanks with these websites: Bankuet, The Independent Food Aid Network, the Trussell Trust, or your local community fridge.

Use food waste apps and websites like Olio (for free food and household items from your local community), Too Good To Go (for low cost food from local restaurants), or Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best before date, but is still safe to consume).

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