Published: 19/11/2021 , Last updated: 01/02/2023

Responding to the cost of living crisis

How can we help?

On this page, you will find the following resources which may be helpful for you, or your friends, relatives and neighbours in this time of pressure:

• Cost of living leaflets
• Inside Out Outside In (community outreach ideas)
• Practical Action on the Cost of Living (for parishes)
• Listing of helplines and websites (for easy reference)

Cost of living – helpful information leaflet

A leaflet from our Church and Society Commission highlights sources of help and support for households responding to the cost–of–living crisis.

This is available in versions for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and guides readers to where they can seek help when they are experiencing problems with debt and personal finances, energy and household costs, and buying food.

Parishes are welcome to download and print the leaflet, which gives room for including local information and words of encouragement and compassion, either on a space provided for this purpose or as an insert.

Please visit this page for downloadable copies of the leaflet and all related resources.

Inside Out Outside In – 101+ ideas for churches to engage with community

A short collection of ideas to help churches think about different ways to engage with the community.  These are grouped into the following themes: Outreach; Community; Welcome; Fellowship; Children & Youth; Families; Senior Citizens; Schools; Poverty; and Communication.  The booklet can be downloaded in full, including an encouraging introduction sharing how your local church can bring hope in your community, or in separate files covering each section.

Please click here to read, download and/or share this booklet as you think best.

Practical Action on the Cost of Living

A short booklet with suggestions (see below) for how parishes, and other ministries and similar organisations in their local communities, can help to serve people in need at this time.  The booklet summarises a discussion in October 2022, in which representatives from dioceses shared stories about how their parishes are proactively responding as the cost of living crisis continues.  Several examples were put forward about what more can be done, along with ideas for the best overall approaches for responding locally.

Please click here to read, download and/or share this booklet as you think best.

Helplines and websites listing

You will also find links below to helplines and websites which may be helpful for you, or your friends, relatives and neighbours:

Helplines if you need urgent assistance

Price comparison websites and guides

Help with school costs

Price comparison websites and guides

For householders in Northern Ireland

For householders in the Republic of Ireland

• Budgeting

• Cars

• Contracts & Services

• Energy saving advice

• Housing

• Insurance

• Shopping

• Water (leaks & conservation)

For help with school costs:

Northern Ireland

Parents are encouraged to get in touch with the Education Authority through the helplines for:

• Free School Meals & Uniform Grant – 028 9041 8044

• School transport – 028 9598 5959

• Special educational needs – 028 9598 5960

• General queries – 028 9056 4000

Republic of Ireland

Advice on the following issues is provided at these links:

• Clothing and Footwear Allowance (helpline: 071 91 93318 / 0818 111 113)

• School transport (helplines by county)

• Well–being for parents and guardians

• Well–being for students

If you urgently need help, the following key helplines may be useful:

Northern Ireland

• Advice NI (including referrals to foodbanks) – 0800 915 4604

• Christians Against Poverty – 0800 328 0006

• Consumer Council – 0800 121 6022

• Make the Call
  Make the Call is a service from the Department for Communities to help you check if you are missing out on any benefits, services and support to which you are entitled – 0800 232 1271

• Money Helper (financial advice service) – 0800 138 7777

• NI Energy Advice Line – 0800 111 44 55

• National Energy Action (fuel poverty charity) – 0800 304 7159

• Step Change (debt relief charity) – 0800 138 1111

• St Vincent de Paul – 028 9035 1561

Republic of Ireland

Charities

• Protestant Aid – 01 668 4298

• Threshold (tenancy advice) – 1 800 454 454

• Offices for St Vincent de Paul (by county)

• Dublin, Wicklow & Kildare – 01 855 0022

• Galway, Mayo & Roscommon – 091 563 233

• Donegal, Leitrim & Sligo – 074 9173 933

• Cavan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan & Westmeath – 041 987 3331

• Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Waterford & Wexford – 051 3507 25 or 26 or 28

• Cork & Kerry – 021 4270 444

• Clare, Limerick, Offaly & Tipperary –  061 317 327