Cost of Living

Rising food, energy and fuel costs are making life hard for many people, especially single income families, the elderly and people relying on benefits. This is in addition to other difficulties like unemployment, bereavement, becoming ill, or dealing with family problems.

At St Brigid's we believe God gives us strength and hope in hard times and that he answers prayers. If you are finding life hard, come along at 10.30am one Sunday and find the peace and hope that only Jesus can give.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

We hope the following resources prove helpful.

Debt & Personal Finances

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

0800 328 0006

CAP works with local churches to give free help for getting out of debt, budgeting, making your money go further, and/or help finding a job.

Advice NI

0800 915 4604

A trained adviser will take your call, listen to you and help you find debt and budget advice and support to maximise your income, navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional benefits to which you could be entitled.

Make the Call

0800 232 1271

A helpline provided by the Department for Communities to help you check if you are missing out on any benefits, services and support to which you are entitled.

Money Helper

0800 138 7777

The MoneyHelper helpline and website, provided by the UK Government, seeks to help make personal choices around money and pensions clearer.

St Vincent de Paul

028 9035 1561

Through person-to-person contact, St Vincent de Paul considers how it may best help e.g. through financial support, or information or advice on other services or entitlements.

Step Change Debt Charity

0800 138 1111

Step Change is a national debt charity which seeks to help people with debt problems to take back control of their finances and their lives.

Energy & Household Costs

Northern Ireland Energy Advice Line

0800 111 44 55

Free independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in the region - including advice about grants and other sources of help.

Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

0800 121 6022

The Consumer Council provides free, independent support and advice for all consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. Its website provides price comparison tools and advice guides on budgeting and managing the costs of living - including around transport, energy, food shopping, home heating oil, insurance, broadband and postage.

National Energy Action

0800 304 7159

A national fuel poverty and energy efficiency charity, providing advice and support both to people in need, and to others working on their behalf.

GoCompare Energy Cost Calculator

How much does it cost to run your appliances? Find out using the GoCompare energy cost calculator.

Electricity and Gas Companies

Each of the main energy companies has helplines through which its customers can get in touch and discuss options around making the payment of their bill more manageable. Companies also provide additional support for older people or customers who are particularly vulnerable, and energy efficiency advice. If you have difficulties in getting in contact with a company, call the Consumer Council for help.

Budget Energy

0800 012 1177

Click Energy NI

0800 107 0732

Electric Ireland

0800 313 4926

Firmus Energy

0330 024 9000

SSE Airtricity - Gas

0345 900 5253

SSE Airtricity - Electricity

0345 601 9093

Phoenix Natural Gas

03454 55 55 55

Power NI

03457 455 455

Foodbanks

To contact your local food bank, call the Trussell Trust’s Northern Ireland helpline on 0800 915 4604 or view this map.

Food banks work with referral agencies (such as a local church or an organisation such as Advice NI) to issue food vouchers to people in need of food in times of crisis. Visiting a food bank might seem daunting but you’ll get a warm welcome in a safe environment, a listening ear and a food parcel by showing your voucher to the trained volunteers.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit that gets paid to you weekly. You may get it if you are State Pension age or over and need help with personal care because you have a physical or mental disability. It is not means tested but you must apply for it. To apply, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance.

If you are eligible, you there are two rates of Attendance Allowance depending on how your disability affects you:

Lower rate

For those who often need help or supervision throughout the day only, or during the night only or who need someone with thrm when th are on dialysis: £72.65

Higher Rate

For those who often need help or supervision throughout the day and during the night: £108.55

Financial Help for the Bereaved

If you have been bereaved of a husband, wife, civil partner, or child or if you have become the guardian of a child whose parents have died, financial support is available.

This page on the NI Direct website gives information about Bereavement Support Payments, Funeral Expenses Payments, the Child Funeral Fund, Guardian's Allowance and claiming extra Pension, as well as Industrial Injuries Benefits, War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Housing Benefit and how to check if you are eligible for any other benefits.

Other Helplines

Helplines NI

A membership-led organisation consisting of over 30 different helplines operating across Northern Ireland. The helplines provide a variety of forms of support including information, advice, counselling, a listening ear and befriending, and offer immediate support to people with a wide range of health and wellbeing needs. Many of the services are provided over the phone, but some can help via text message or online.

Please visit www.helplinesni.com where you can search for an issue about which you would like to speak to someone. The member helplines are run by public, voluntary and community organisations. Not all helplines are free to call, so it is best to check each website for more information before calling.