Getting help

HELP AT HAND

If you are struggling with money, debt or housing related problems, don’t sufer in silence. There are loads of organisations ofering free and helpful advice. We’ve rounded up the main ones who should be able to help (or point you in the right direction)

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL

Different departments at our local council may be able to help us stretch our budgets in different ways. If they can, we’ll free up much-needed cash for meals: ≠ The team that deals with Housing Benefit and Council Tax, (sometimes called often ‘Revenues and Benefits’), can advise if there’s any help we can claim ≠ If we’re facing real hardship, we can explain to the housing team and ask if we might qualify for a ‘Discretionary Housing Payment’ for help with rent, deposits and arrears ≠ Their welfare (or employment) team can provide guidance on grants, benefits or who to speak to about help finding work ≠ Most councils currently have a Community Hub that can help ensure we have access to food, advice and support Look up the council website and search for each of these teams for contact details. USEFUL NUMBERS www.nationaldebtline.org In Wales call ✆ 08444 77 20 20 FOOD PANTRIES/CLUBS/SUPERMARKETS For pantries and other options check your local council website, or Feeding

CLEAN SLATE

Quids in! is the money skills programme from Clean Slate Training & Employment, a notfor-profit helping people become better off. Do you live near one of our ‘Quids In Centres’? (See outside back cover of this guide.) If so, we’ll walk you through a money healthcheck to help you stretch and grow your budget. If not, take the Quiz on the Quids in! website at qimag.uk/

LOAN SHARKS Call anonymously on ✆ 0300 555 2222 or text LOAN SHARK and your details to 60003. In Wales call ✆ 0300 123 3311, in Scotland: ✆ 0141 2876 655.

CREDIT UNIONS Credit unions may help people the banks won’t. To find your local credit union call ✆ 0161 832 3694 or visit www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk.

BENEFITS • People with disabilities or carers contact the Disability Benefits Centre (✆ 0345 605 6055) and for Child

Benefit and tax credits call Inland

Revenue (✆ 0845 300 3900). • Council Tax and Housing Benefit is dealt with by your local council. • Benefits calculator www.entitledto. co.uk • Pensions Service: ✆ 0800 99 12340 DEBT ADVICE For free debt advice and help, contact any of the organisations below. • National Debtline ✆ 0808 808 4000 • StepChange Debt Charity ✆ 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org • Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

England call ✆ 08444 111 444 • Citizens Advice Scotland www.cas.org.uk. ✆ 0808 800 9060 • Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Government-backed scheme to pay debts. ✆ 0300 200 2770 www.dasscotland.gov.uk

AGE UK ageuk.org.uk • 0800 678 1602

quiz Britain: www.feedingbritain.org

FOOD BANKS

To find your nearest food bank ask a local advice agency or your council. You can also search via the postcode map on the Trussell Trust website: https://www.trusselltrust.org/ get-help/find-a-foodbank/

• You can find other, independent food banks through the

Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN): foodaidnetwork.org.uk • Sufra sufra-nwlondon.org.uk provides refugee support, a food bank, community kitchen and more.

Check out their website for details.

LANDLORD

If your landlord is the council or a housing association, they should be supportive. Landlords can get tough with people who don’t keep on top of their rent but if you have a good relationship with them, they will try to keep the pressure off while you work things through.