The Safeguarding Adults Executive Board has put together this webpage to provide you with the support and advice available across the Bi-borough with the support of partner agencies and national organisations.
The cost of essential things such as food, gas, electricity and petrol are increasing. As wages and benefits aren’t going up as quickly, paying for the things you need and caring for yourself and others might become much more difficult.
The ways in which it could affect you are that:
- your money from wages or benefits may not cover as much as usual
- you might find it harder to pay for food, medication and transport
- your weekly shopping might cost more than usual, which might mean you have to buy less
- you may find the cost of energy to light and heat your home becomes more expensive
Cost of Living Hubs
To discover how Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster can help you manage the rising cost of living. Explore the local support hubs by clicking the direct links below.
Cost of living support hub and strategy | Westminster City Council
Cost of Living Support Hub | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The SAEB Safeguarding Ambassadors and Healthwatch have come together to provide this additional detailed list of local services and support available to help you manage the rising cost of living—connecting you to practical advice, financial assistance, and wellbeing resources in your community.
Cost of Living Local Services – November 2025
Welfare rights and benefits
The government has information about what support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel. You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits. You do not need to apply. You’ll be paid automatically. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.
In response to increasing prices and the pressures around the cost of living, the government has launched Help For Households, which is a campaign to raise awareness of the support available amongst those that need it most. The campaign gives clear information about the exceptional payments, energy support and existing support schemes available, so the public know what is available and where they can find help – the webpage brings together over 40 support schemes that the public may be able to access depending on eligibility.
You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home for all or part of the week.
If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food from the local payments support team.
Click here for Kensington and Chelsea
The NWL ICB Cost of Living Guide is a resource created by the North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) to help residents and staff navigate financial challenges. It focuses on:
- Support with NHS costs (prescriptions, dental charges, travel schemes).
- Access to local cost-of-living support hubs offering advice on bills, entitlements, and wellbeing.
- Links to government schemes like the Warm Home Grant and NHS Low Income Scheme.
- Practical tips for managing energy bills, housing costs, and mental health support.
North West London ICB: Cost of Living guide
Public Health Key Messages
- Don’t Delay – Speak to your GP if not well.
- If you have any symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, unexplained bleeding, a lump in your breast or elsewhere, moles, changes in bowel habits, or a cough for more than three weeks it is important that you contact your GP.
- Please attend routine screening appointments when you’re invited.
- The NHS is ‘open’ and if you feel unwell and it is not COVID-19 symptoms don’t delay – the sooner you get advice the better.
- Depending on your symptoms you can get advice from:
- your local pharmacy
- your GP practice.
- NHS 111
- If you need medical help fast or think you need to go to A&E call NHS 111.
- Call 999 for life threatening emergencies.