Southwark Council Cost of Living Fund

There is a new Southwark Cost of Living Fund this autumn and winter (October 2024 to March 2025).

The Southwark Cost of Living Fund is for vulnerable or low-income households at risk of hardship due to the higher cost of food, energy, and other essentials. 

Energy prices are rising again this winter. Most support from the new fund will be for our lowest income and most vulnerable residents, including children and young people, the elderly, those who are sick and disabled with care needs, and low-income households living in energy-inefficient homes that are more expensive to heat.

You can find more about what support is available now below. More information will be added as other forms of support become available later this winter.

Holiday free school meals

If you have one or more children attending a Southwark school who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, you will receive help paying for their meals during the October half-term 2024, Christmas holiday 2024 and February half-term 2025.

The support is worth £3 per day (the value of a daily school meal) per eligible child.

Support will be provided automatically just before each holiday period, sent by email or post in the form of a Post Office voucher. 

If you are expecting or have been issued a voucher that has not been received, has been issued with the wrong details, has expired or is lost/stolen, you can get a replacement by completing and submitting our online Holiday Free School Meals - Make an enquiry form.

Holiday clubs for children aged 4 to 16

If your child gets benefits-related free school meals they can join a Food and Fun holiday club in Southwark this winter. The clubs run fun activities and provide healthy and free food.

Supporting residents move to Universal Credit

The UK government is replacing legacy benefits with Universal Credit. Between October 2024 and March 2025, households in Southwark still receiving these benefits - including anyone getting Housing Benefit - must apply for Universal Credit.

If you or your partner receive Housing Benefit (alone or with other benefits) and get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions telling you to apply for Universal Credit, we will give you a one-time payment of £250 from the Southwark Cost of Living Fund. This payment will help you pay for food, energy, and other essentials while you wait five weeks for your first Universal Credit payment.

Southwark Emergency Support Scheme

Southwark Emergency Support Scheme (SESS) can help if you're a Southwark resident of any age who is facing a crisis.

You can apply if you or your partner are receiving one of the benefits listed below or have made a claim for one or more of these benefits in the last six weeks and are waiting for a decision on a claim: 

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (income based)
  • Employment Support Allowance (income based)
  • Pension Credit
Funded by UK Government

 

Page last updated: 28 January 2025

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