The cost of living in York is very high, and poverty is a real issue for more and more people who live here. When coupled with national and international issues, this makes it harder for some people to afford what they need.
Thousands of people in York are not claiming the benefits and support available to them. You could be missing out on important help for you and your family.
York Talk Money aims to support people who are struggling financially. City of York Council and voluntary sector partners have been working together for a number of years to support York residents to:
- get all the financial support to which they are entitled
- reduce their outgoings as much as possible
- get advice if they need assistance
We're bringing together resources, including those funded through the Financial Inclusion Fund and the Household Support Fund, to provide:
- direct financial assistance
- advice and support
We're making better use of local information and national data to direct information to those residents who are missing out or are struggling with meeting essential bills.
See further information about how we're delivering York Talk Money cost of living support:
- Pension Credit
- Support for working age people
- Community money and benefits advice sessions
- Talk Money Week campaigns
Pension Credit
In Autumn 2024 the government announced changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance, which meant only those getting Pension Credit would be eligible. It was estimated over 1,500 pensioners in York were missing out on Pension Credit.
Using our data, we identified around 450 households who could be missing out and wrote to them to let them know.
We've found that 248 pensioners claimed Pension Credit between December 2024 and March 2025, putting over £1.7 million into the pockets of residents.
We're continuing to write to residents who could be missing out on Pension Credit.
Support for working age people
We're continuing to provide advice and support in community venues, and use our information to let residents know they could be missing out and where they can get advice and support.
We're writing to residents who we think could be missing out on financial support or could benefit from money information, advice and support to encourage people to get the help they're entitled to.
Contact local your Benefits Adviser:
- by phone: 01904 555006
- by email: talkmoney@york.gov.uk
You can drop-in to one of our community money and benefits advice sessions.
Take a few minutes to check what help you might be able to get using our quick and easy benefits calculator.
Find out more information and advice about reducing bills and saving money:
Community money and benefits advice sessions
Come along to get money and benefits advice at your local community venue.
| Day and times | Venue | Advice provider |
|---|---|---|
| Mondays, 11.00am to 1.00pm | York Foodbank, The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb, YO24 3BZ | Peasholme Charity and Citizens Advice York |
| Tuesdays, 9.15am to 11.00am | Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, YO23 1BQ | City of York Council Benefits Adviser, CFCB Credit Union |
| Tuesdays, 10.00am to midday | York Foodbank, Vineyard Church, 3 Fawcett Street, YO10 4AH | Peasholme Charity and Citizens Advice York |
| Tuesdays, 10.00am to midday | Community Café, St Oswald's Church, Fulford, YO10 4HJ | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Tuesdays, 10.30am to 12.30pm | York Travellers Trust Open Living Room and Market, 20 Falsgrave Crescent Clifton, YO30 7AZ | Citizens Advice York |
| Tuesdays, 1.00pm to 3.00pm | Marjorie Waite Court, Evelyn Crescent, Clifton, YO30 6DX | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Tuesdays, midday to 1.30pm | Community Café, St Wulstan Church, 48 Fossway, Heworth, YO31 8SL | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Wednesdays, 9.30am to 11.30am | Lidgett Community Cafe, Lidgett Grove Methodist Church, Wheatlands Grove, Acomb, YO26 5NH | Citizens Advice York |
| Wednesdays, 1.00pm to 2.45pm | Take 5 - Wellness on Wednesdays, Holy Redeemer Church Hall, 108 Boroughbridge Road, YO26 6AB | Citizens Advice York |
| Wednesdays, 1.00pm to 3.00pm | Living Word Church, 189 Huntington Road, YO31 9BP | Peasholme Charity and Citizens Advice York |
| Alternate Wednesdays, 9.00am to 11.00am | Tang Hall Primary School, Sixth Avenue, Tang Hall, YO31 0UT | Peasholme Charity |
| Thursdays, 10.00am to midday | Chapelfields Community Centre, Sanderson Court Community House, Bramham Road, Chapelfields, YO26 5AR | City of York Council Benefits Adviser and Peasholme Charity |
| Thursdays, 10.30am to 2.00pm | Planet Food pay-as-you-feel cafe and food store, Southlands Community Centre, Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 1NX | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Thursdays, 2.00pm to 4.00pm | York Foodbank, St Joseph's Church Hall, Sutton Way, Kingsway North, YO30 6JX | Peasholme Charity |
| Fridays, 9.30am to 10.30am | Advice Hub, Tang Hall Community Centre, Fifth Ave, Tang Hall, YO31 0UG | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Fridays, monthly, 11.00am to 1.00pm | Quick Queries Drop-In, CYC Community Housing Office, 217 Lindsey Avenue, Holgate, YO26 4RL | Citizens Advice York |
| Fridays, 10.30am to 1.30pm | York Foodbank, Cornerstone, 119 Millfield Lane, Tang Hall, YO10 3AP | Peasholme Charity and Citizens Advice York |
| Fridays, 11.30am to 1.30pm | Community Furniture Store, Unit 29, The Raylor Centre, James Street, YO10 3DW | City of York Council Benefits Adviser |
| Fridays, 11.45am to 1.30pm | Foxwood Community Centre, Cranfield Place, YO24 3HY | City of York Council Benefits Adviser, Citizens Advice York, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust |
| Saturdays, 10.00am to midday | The Belfrey @ The De Grey Rooms, St Leonard's Place, YO1 7HB | Peasholme Charity |
Free independent advice and support is available for all residents on social welfare issues including benefits, debts, employment, housing and immigration.
If you need further help there are a range of local advice services working across the City alternatively, get benefits advice from national agencies.
he 'Worrying About Money' guide has been put together with the Food Aid Network and City of York Council.
You can pick up a paper copy in libraries and community venues around the city, or you can view or download the guide online:
If you would like a supply of the guide for your venue or organisation, email: wbpartnerships@york.gov.uk.
Talk Money Week campaigns
York Talk Money campaign aims to support people who are struggling financially. Many of us are finding it more difficult to meet everyday expenses due to the increase in cost of living.
Advice services in York come together to promote the support and resources available.
The York Talk Money campaign is an opportunity for everyone to get involved with events and activities across the UK which help people have more open conversations about their money, from pocket money to pensions, and continue these conversations year-round.
In 2025 to 2026, York Talk Money Weeks will be held:
- Monday 7 July to Friday 18 July
- Monday 3 Nov to Friday 14 November - including National Talk Money Week
- Monday 26 January 2026 to Friday 6 February 2026
We encourage you to use the weeks as an opportunity to talk about any aspect of money.
To do this:
- Use our free and easy benefits calculator to make sure you’re not missing out
- contact one of the local advice services for help and support, or visit your local community venue
- see Live Well York - Talk Money for more information
- see Money Helper for more money advice