Introduction
During the current COVID-19 pandemic we know that you, or someone you know, may need some extra help.
This section has links to a range of services to support you.
If you can’t find the help you need you can contact us to request further support.
Emergency help with food, energy bills and other essentials
Local Discretionary Social Fund
If you receive benefits and need help to pay for essentials you can't live without, apply for help from our Local Discretionary Social Fund.
If you don't receive any benefits: there's extra help available this winter for anyone struggling to pay for food, fuel and other essential costs through the government’s Household Support Fund.
Community Hub
Please use our community hub form if:
- You are not on benefits and would like to make an application for the Household Support Fund
- You need support and advice relating to COVID-19
Get support while isolating
If you have been told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you can't work from home, you may be entitled to a Self-Isolation Payment. Find out more or apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment.
Food, shopping and meals
For advice and support about getting food, shopping and meal deliveries, email food.access@impact-initiatives.org.uk.
Debt advice
Please contact the advice services straight away if you:
- are having difficulties claiming the benefits you’re entitled to
- are having difficulties understanding what you’re eligible for
- have debts that you’re not managing and it’s affecting your mental health
We can make sure you do not lose out on anything you’re entitled to and put a plan in place.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is running normal hours but no face to face service.
- phone 0300 330 9033 (or use the website to send a message)
Money Advice Plus
The Money Advice Plus advice line is running as normal. It offers money advice and information about benefits.
- phone 0800 988 7037
They have made alternative arrangements with all clients who normally visit the office to get help with managing money. If you have any questions, you can phone 01273 664 000.
Brighton & Hove Health and Adult Care directory
Brighton & Hove health and adult care directory is an online directory of local and national organisations who provide information on the welfare system, benefit entitlement, debt management, managing money and money advice to plan for the future.
Benefits advice and challenging decisions
Our Welfare Rights team:
You can contact the Welfare Rights team by:
- phone 01273 291 116 - extended advice line hours Monday to Wednesday 10am to 1pm
- email welfarerights@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project
The Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project can help you find Welfare Rights Advice.
- phone 01273 676 171
Possability People
You can contact Possability People about support for disabled people or anyone with an impairment or long term health condition:
- phone 01273 894 050
- email advice@possibilitypeople.org.uk
East Sussex Credit Union
East Sussex Credit Union is closed for drop-in but all services are available online.
- phone 0300 303 3188
- email info@eastsussexcu.org.uk
Business advice
You can find support for your business on our website.
Keep active and well
These organisations can help you keep in touch with others, support you with your mental health and wellbeing, and give you general advice about how to stay active and well:
Libraries are offering free 24/7 digital libraries services for all members. If you aren’t a member, you can join our online library service.
Looking after someone else
You can get advice and support with looking after someone from The Carers Hub.
Domestic and sexual abuse and violence
You can find advice and support for domestic or sexual abuse or violence in Brighton & Hove on our website.
Help for adults that need care and support
You can find advice and support for adults that need care and support on our website.
You can also find information for people who use Direct Payments and their Personal Care Assistants (PAs).
Report a hate crime
Find out how to report anti-social behaviour or a hate incident in your neighbourhood.
Digital support
If you need guidance and support to access a device or get connected to the internet you can contact Digital Brighton & Hove.
- email digitalbh@citizensonline.org.uk
- phone the Digital Helpline on 07475 946084 to get help from one of our volunteer Digital Champions. Please leave a message with your name, phone number and what help you need.
If you're already online but need some help, anyone can get free one-to-one remote digital support from AbilityNet. Call 0800 048 7642 to get support with:
- setting up a new device
- keeping in touch with family
- online shopping
- staying safe online
Other local community information and support
Search for local organisations that provide support with everything from food and shopping to money advice and loneliness.
How to get help
If you still need urgent help due to COVID-19, you can get support from our community advice and support hub.
If you still need urgent help and you don’t have anyone who can help you at the moment, we can support you with:
- finding help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and other support - because you or someone in your household has symptoms or are considered especially vulnerable at this time and you do not have any friends, family or a support worker who can help you
- support to keep active and well and to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness – we can put you in touch with organisations who provide advice and support with keeping active, and keeping in touch with others
Please select one of the green buttons below to fill in a form to ask for help.
Request help for yourself
Request help for someone else
In the form, we’ll ask you for an address, name and contact details. Please enter the details of the person that needs help, you do not need to give us your personal details.
We might share your personal details with our community partners, which includes registered volunteers.
Community Hub helpline
The Community Hub operates Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm. We aim to get back to you as soon as possible, and we’ll deal with the most urgent enquiries first.
If you need emergency help with food, energy bills and other essentials, please phone 01273 293 117 and select option 1. You will be directed to the Local Discretionary Social Fund.
For queries relating to Covid-19, please phone 01273 293 117 and select option 2. You will be directed to the Community Hub.
If you are over 18, require food or shopping related support and can afford to pay for this, please phone 01273 293 117 and select option 3. You will be directed to Food Support at Impact Initiatives
If you need help to stay safe and well, or if you need care and support, please call Access Point on 01273 295 555.
Translations and interpreting
Phone interpreters are available on our community hub number. Call 01273 293117 (option 2) Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm.
BSL
Find out how we can help vulnerable people in British Sign Language (BSL).
DeafCOG
DeafCOG can support D/deaf people who need BSL or want support with communication. They have volunteers who can support Deaf people who don’t have people local to you that can sign or you are feeling lonely, worried or need someone to talk to.
If you need help from the council about things like food banks, benefits, housing or rubbish collections you can register with the Signlive Community Directory.