Unveiled by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the scheme aims to help more than 17,500 low-income families secure up to £8 million in financial support they are entitled to but not currently receiving.
The Family Financial Resilience Partnership will deliver free, independent advice through a network of 12 London boroughs.
Sir Sadiq said: “I’m determined to help London’s families cope with the cost of living and put more money back into household budgets.
“That’s why I’m investing £2.2 million in the Family Financial Resilience Partnership to ensure parents and carers across the capital can access the support that they’re entitled to and make a significant difference to their finances.
“From providing free school meals to children in London’s state primary schools to helping young people with activities during school holidays and protecting free and discounted travel for children and young people, I’m committed to doing all I can to support London’s families as we build a better, fairer London for all.”
The funding will be used to train more staff and expand capacity at existing Best Start Family Hubs and Children’s Centres, enabling them to offer advice on benefits, housing, childcare, employment, immigration, and disability.
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with London Citizens Advice, the London Legal Support Trust, and 12 local authorities.
It builds on the Mayor’s ongoing work to improve access to support, which in the past three years has helped more than 130,000 Londoners claim over £94 million in financial assistance.
However, with more than £4 billion in unclaimed benefits across the capital, a significant gap remains.
Diana Johnson MP, Minister for Employment, said: “Every child deserves the best start in life, and that begins with families having the support they need to build financial security.
“By bringing good-quality advice directly into Family Hubs, we’re meeting parents where they are and helping them tackle debt, boost their income, and access support that makes a genuine difference to their lives.”
The scheme also complements other mayoral programmes aimed at reducing the cost of living for families.
These include funding free school meals in London’s state primary schools and the Holiday Hope initiative, which provides food, activities, and support during school holidays.
The Mayor has also protected free and discounted travel for children and young people.
The programme will operate across Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Greenwich, Croydon, Brent, Enfield, Southwark, Haringey, Lewisham and Ealing.
A twelfth borough is expected to be announced soon.
Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, said: “Too many Londoners are struggling to get by each month, and we know that those pressures fall hardest on single parents, families with disabled members, and families from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“By funding the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, we are strengthening the support available to parents and carers in places where they already turn for help.”
The scheme has been welcomed by some of its key delivery partners.
Nezahat Cihan, CEO of London Legal Support Trust, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, fostering collaboration between local authorities, specialist and generalist advice organisations across 12 London boroughs, thanks to GLA funding.
“Through a new partnership approach of placing advisors in Family Hubs and family-related settings, we aim to create a more integrated service that ensures families receive support in accessible and familiar settings.”
