The rising cost of living is affecting older people across our communities. The following links may help with entitlements and benefits, reducing costs in the home, and also managing money.
Make the Call Service
A free check to ensure you are getting all the benefits, services and supports you are entitled to:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/make-call-service
Freephone(network charges may apply) 0800 232 1271
Emailmakethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
Advice NI
The independent advice service:
https://www.adviceni.net/
Freephone advice hotline: 0800 915 4604
Email for advice: advice@adviceni.net
East Belfast Independent Advice Centre (EBIAC)
EBIAC has a range of services to assist older people including benefits checks, appeals, and dealing with debt.
https://www.ebiac.org/
Telephone 028 9073 5690
Email advice@ebiac.org
NB: you do not need to be an older person living or from East Belfast to avail of EBIAC’s services.
South City Resource and Development Centre
Provides a range of services including an advice service and a Seniors Programme
2 Maldon Street, Belfast BT12 6HE
Telephone 028 9050 4747
East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA)
EBCDA is the health agency for East Belfast. It offers a range of
programmes and has staff providing cost of living guidance.
https://www.ebcda.org/
Telephone 028 9045 1512
Email info@ebcda.org
Forward South
Forward South is the health agency working across South Belfast. It
offers a range of services and also has a significant Cost of Living
Support Plan.
https://forwardsouth.org/
Telephone 028 9024 4070
South Belfast Cost of Living Plan 23 Updated
National Energy Action Northern Ireland
A national charity seeking to end fuel poverty, providing advice and guidance on keeping homes warm, insulated, and dealing with energy bills.
Website: https://www.nea.org.uk/northernireland/
Telephone 028 90239909
Email Northern.Ireland@nea.org.uk
BBC News Cost of Living
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cljev4jz3pjt
How to cut energy and heating costs at home
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-63080673
Saving on food costs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61798003
Jamie Oliver Money Saving Recipes
https://www.jamieoliver.com/family/money-saving-recipes/
Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert (some advice tips may be specific to Great Britain and not Northern Ireland)
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Engage with Age can accept referrals of individual older people aged 50+ who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation, inviting them to participate in group activities. Engage with Age offers one-to-one telephone befriending support for individual older people but does not currently provide in person visits to individual older people. To make a referral please complete the on-line Referral Form and submit or alternatively please print off a copy of the PDF Referral Form and send it to us. See also the Referral Criteria for details of who can be referred.
Referral Form Referral Criteria