Help for our service users with the cost of living

Welcome to our cost-of-living page for service users, carers and the public based in Leeds.

We’ve developed a booklet which contains information that could help you through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

There is also information about how to get help in a mental health crisis, and how to connect with local community groups that could help you too.

This information has been distributed to staff in our services that cover the Leeds area. This is so they can be used in discussions between our service users and staff, and copies can also be printed and handed out.

If you’d like a hard copy, click here for a print-friendly version of this information in a handy booklet.

If you need this information in an alternative format or language, please email our Interpretation and Translation Support Team or call them on 0113 85 56418.

A lot of this information is drawn from Together Leeds – Helping with the cost of living

You can also find out what support is available nationally for the cost of living crisis on the government website.

This information was last updated in December 2025.

Cost of living support in Leeds

The Leeds Money Information Centre (MIC)

In Leeds, you can access free help and advice on a range of money related matters from the Leeds Money Information Centre.

They offer advice and support on things including:

  • Debt
  • Benefits advice and Universal Credit
  • Emergency food
  • Low-cost loans and avoiding loan sharks
  • Energy and household bills
  • Employment support
  • Gambling harms

Visit the website at: moneyinformationcentre.leeds.gov.uk

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Leeds Community Hubs

There are 26 community hubs across Leeds. They offer free, confidential and tailored support and information under one roof.

Their friendly staff can help you with:

  • Job applications
  • Money-saving tips and budgeting
  • Claiming benefits you could be eligible for
  • Using the free computers
  • Getting online and developing your digital skills

Find out more about them at:

www.leeds.gov.uk/community-hubs

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Keeping your home warm

If you are struggling with your gas and electricity bills, concerned about energy debts or don’t understand your bill, you can contact the Leeds Citizens Advice Energy Adviceline.

Trained energy advisers can help you with:

  • Accessing debt advice
  • Negotiating with your energy supplier
  • Making sure you don’t miss out on any discounts or payments
  • Making a complaint or resolving a dispute with your supplier

Contact the adviceline on 0800 448 0721 (Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Visit the Leeds Citizens Advice website at:

www.citizensadviceleeds.org.uk/energy-bills

Reduce your fuel bills

There are grants and schemes available to improve your home energy efficiency.

Home Plus (Leeds)

Home Plus (Leeds) is a service to promote independent living by improving health at home and helping to prevent falls and cold related health conditions.

The service can provide:

  • Servicing and repairs to heating and hot water systems
  • Help changing to the cheapest energy deal
  • Free energy saving equipment and advice
  • Draught proofing and small-scale energy efficiency measures

Telephone: 0113 240 6009

Email: homeplus@care-repair-leeds.org.uk

Website: www.care-repair-leeds.org.uk

Green Doctor Yorkshire

Green Doctor Yorkshire offer free, impartial energy advice to help you save energy in your home, reduce your bills, and access other services and initiatives available. Support includes:

  • Help with fuel debts
  • Grants for boilers and insulation
  • Draught proofing
  • Managing damp and condensation

Telephone: 0300 303 3292

Email: greendoctoryorkshire@groundwork.org.uk

Website: www.groundwork.org.uk/yorkshire/get-support/my-energy-and-heating/

Welcome spaces

Leeds has a network of Welcome Spaces. These include libraries, community centres, community hubs and other places offering a warm welcome. They are free to use for anyone.

Spaces will be heated, safe and friendly places where you can comfortably spend time reading, studying or chatting with others. Some places offer hot drinks, activities, and other services such as free Wi-Fi.

Find your nearest Welcome Space

There is an online map of where all the warm spaces are in Leeds at this link:

www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/welcome-spaces

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Help paying your water bill

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill there’s short term and longer-term schemes you can apply for.

Find out more about them on this website:

www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill

Or give Yorkshire Water a call on 0345 1 299 299. They are open 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 3pm Saturday.

Leeds Employment Hub

Employment Advisors at Leeds Employment Hub can help you to find a job, apprenticeship, a training or learning opportunity.

Based in the local community, they can offer:

  • Individual support tailored to your needs
  • Careers advice and guidance
  • Opportunities to learn new skills
  • Access to local job and apprenticeship opportunities

To speak with an advisor, you can fill out a form online and they will get in touch, at:

www.inclusivegrowthleeds.com/employmenthub

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Jobshops

If you want a new job or you are at risk of redundancy, the Leeds Jobshops can support you to:

  • Search for available jobs
  • Update or create a CV
  • Complete application forms
  • Prepare for interviews

Find your local Jobshop at:

www.leeds.gov.uk/jobs-skills-and-training/jobshops

Or email jobshops@leeds.gov.uk with your name and phone number and they will call you back.

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Housing

Need somewhere to stay urgently?

Leeds Housing Options could help. You can visit them at Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, LS2 8BB. They encourage people to drop in earlier in the day so their team has time to help you find somewhere.

You can also call them on 0113 222 4412. This line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, except Tuesdays when it is open from 10am.

Or the emergency out of hours number is 0113 378 8366.

Help with other housing needs

Leeds City Council also offers support in other housing situations, including for people with mental health needs, if you’re leaving hospital, leaving prison, or fleeing domestic violence.

www.leeds.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Staying healthy

Worrying about money, food and jobs, and struggling to stay warm, can all take their toll on your health.

The Together We Can website is your local health and wellbeing guide. It has plenty of advice on how to stay well and can help you choose the right healthcare option for your needs.

  • Many minor health issues like coughs, grazes and sore throats can be treated at home
  • Your pharmacy can help with lots of minor health conditions so if there’s something you need help with, think pharmacy first.
  • Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.
  • For urgent medical advice, dial 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk
  • If you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis dial 111 and select the mental health option.
  • GP practices offer same day and pre-bookable appointments Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
  • A&E is for life threatening medical emergencies and serious injuries.

Visit www.togetherwe-can.com

Get help to pay for health costs

Although most NHS treatment is free, there is usually a charge for:

  • NHS prescriptions
  • NHS dental check-ups and treatment
  • sight tests
  • new glasses or contact lenses
  • repairing or replacing glasses or contact lenses
  • NHS wigs
  • NHS fabric supports – things like surgical bras, support tights and spinal supports
  • travel for NHS treatment

You could be entitled to help with these costs depending on your circumstances.

You can use an eligibility checker to check if you’re eligible for help and find out what to do next.

If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for things like prescriptions and the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment.

Visit the NHS website:

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs

You can also call NHS Help with help costs on 0300 330 1343. They will respond to your queries Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm.

Food

Different types of food support are available for anyone in Leeds experiencing difficulties in accessing food.

Emergency food provision

If you cannot afford to pay for essentials such as food, gas and electric, due to an emergency or crisis, complete an online form for a callback, or call the Local Welfare Support Team on 0800 953 2303 or 0113 376 0330 (weekdays 9am to 4pm, except Wednesdays from 10am).

Leeds Food Aid Network

The Leeds Food Aid Network brings together food provision services in the city including drop-ins, soup kitchens, outreaches, foodbanks, pay as you feel cafes and other food enterprises such as food pantries.

leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/find-emergency-food

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Do you care for somebody?

A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member. This might be due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.

Carers Leeds operates a support line for carers in Leeds and offers information, advice and support.

Contact their advice line on 0113 380 4300
(Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri: 9am-4.30pm; Tue: 9am – 6.30pm)

Email: advice@carersleeds.org.uk

They can help with things like:

  • Finance and benefits
  • Access to services, respite and holidays
  • Assessments and personal budgets for the carer or cared for person
  • Opportunities for social contact
  • Looking after your wellbeing as a carer
  • Equipment and support for the cared for person

Their website has lots of advice:

www.carersleeds.org.uk

Financial help if you have children

The national government website has a huge range of information about what financial help is available for parents and carers with children. This includes:

  • Having a baby or adopting
  • Child benefit and tax credits
  • Support for childcare
  • Financial help if you have a disabled child
  • Financial help if you’re a student with children

Visit www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting/financial-help-children

Health Holidays

The Healthy Holidays programme runs free holiday clubs providing food and activities for children (from reception to year 11) eligible for income-related free school meals.

The clubs run over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.

There are over 80 clubs across Leeds, run by schools, community organisations and council provisions.

Find out more at: healthyholidays.leeds.gov.uk

This service is hosted by Leeds City Council. If you are struggling to access their information, please call them on 0113 222 4444.

Money Saving Expert

MoneySavingExpert.com is a website dedicated to cutting your bills, fighting your corner, finding deals, saving cash and campaigning for financial justice.

Founded by celebrity money saver Martin Lewis in 2003, it has grown into the UK’s most popular money website.

They have created a special Cost of Living site with a huge range of ideas and life hacks that will save you money at:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/budgeting-debt-help

Supporting your mental health in Leeds

Please remember if there is an immediate threat to life, call 999.

Everyone experiences crisis differently. It can feel like you’ve hit breaking point or that everything is crashing down.

If you’re feeling very distressed, hopeless, or having suicidal thoughts, you’re not alone. Talking to someone can help you see beyond how you feel right now. Reach out to a friend or family member—or, if that feels hard, there are people ready to listen and help.

NHS 111

If you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis dial 111 and select the mental health option.

You can speak to health care professionals who can refer you to specialist mental health services in Leeds.

Mindwell

Mindwell is a single ‘go to’ place for information about mental health in Leeds.

It can help you find telephone support if you need someone to talk to, or places you can go in a crisis. It can also help you find support for issues like bereavement, relationship problems, debt, homelessness and alcohol and drug use.

Visit Mindwell Leeds at:

www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk

Good places to know about

Dial House

Dial House is an out-of-hours Leeds service for people in times of crisis where visitors can relax and have an hour of one-to-one support from the team of crisis support workers.

It is a place of sanctuary open 6pm–1am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (when other services are closed).

Call 0113 2609328 or text 07922 249452 from 6pm on the night you want to come.

Connect

Call Connect if you’re feeling anxious, lonely, angry or just need to talk. Trained volunteers and workers provide compassionate, non-judgemental support.

Whatever your problems are – mental health, housing or money worries, caring for someone, bereavement or the end of a relationship – Connect can help. Call 0808 800 1212 between 6pm and 1am every evening.

Here for you

Here for you (formerly called Well-bean Hope in a Crisis Café) is an out-of-hours service offering face-to-face support for anyone feeling down or struggling to cope with their thoughts.

They have local teams available every night of the year from 3.30pm until 9pm across Leeds. Call 07760 173 476.

www.touchstonesupport.org.uk/hereforyou

Support for young people in crisis in Leeds

The NHS in Leeds

The NHS in Leeds has a Freephone Crisis Call Line to support children and young people whatever the circumstances by listening, supporting, advising and signposting.

Call 0800 953 0505, every day 8am – 8pm.

Mindmate

For mental health info for younger people in Leeds, visit Mindmate Leeds at: www.mindmate.org.uk

NightOwls

Overnight support from 8pm – 8am is available from the NightOwls service every night. Call them on 0800 148 8244, text on 07984 376950 or chat online at: www.lslcs.org.uk/services/night-owls-helpline

Getting help from local community groups

There are hundreds of local community groups across Leeds that you can connect with. We can’t list them all here but there’s a few ways of finding out what’s close to you.

The Forum Central network

Forum Central is a network of health and social care voluntary and community organisations in Leeds.

They have published an online map of all their member organisations at: www.forumcentral.org.uk/members

You can email them on: hello@forumcentral.org.uk

Or call them on 0113 242 1321.

Voluntary Action Leeds

Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) is a charity that supports communities by helping people and organisations that do good in Leeds.

They have published loads of useful information including:

  • The VAL directory – a list of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations operating in Leeds. Visit doinggoodleeds.org.uk/find-an-organisation or call 0113 297 7920.
  • The Leeds Directory – a free, online, directory featuring a wide range of services in Leeds including checked and vetted local tradespeople, care professionals who can help with independent living, groups, activities and events in your area. Visit leedsdirectory.org or call 0113 378 4610.

Page last updated: 23rd Dec 2025 12:06pm