Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 26 November 2025
Category: Supporting communities
As winter approaches, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly has launched a dedicated guide to support people in the city grappling with high and rising living costs.
The third edition of the cost-of-living support guide signposts to the wide range of community-based support services in Belfast and includes information on benefits advice and grants available to people who need additional support.
The guide lists contact details for organisations providing free advice to people dealing with high energy, food and other costs. It also signposts to services that can support people with their mental health and wellbeing, as well as specialist help that is available to families and older people.
Councillor Kelly said: “We are very aware as winter approaches that a lot of people in the city are finding it difficult to cover basic living costs due to the high cost-of-living. And with the extra financial pressures that Christmas brings, we know that poverty and hardship can have a massive impact on people’s emotional health and wellbeing.
“Our cost-of-living support guide aims to support the most vulnerable by making sure they know about all the help and support that is available to them. Within the guide there is also some practical tips to help people reduce their energy, food and other bills.
“I'm very proud of the financial support that Belfast City Council provides, alongside the Department for Communities, to many of the advice service organisations listed in the guide, where people can seek advice on managing their debts and find out about benefits that are potentially available to them. Alongside the 19 social supermarket projects that we currently fund, this is making a huge difference to people who need extra support.”
The free cost-of-living support guide is available to pick up across at council buildings, community centres, leisure centres, libraries, chemists, foodbanks, social supermarkets and advice service providers across Belfast.
The information within the guide is also listed on our website at: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/costofliving