Financial Help & Advice
How we can help
If you are having problems paying your rent or service charge, contact us as soon as possible. We can offer conīdential help, advice and support.
We can make agreements with you to reduce your arrears by paying a little extra each week until your arrears are cleared in full.
We can visit you in your home to discuss any problems, help you complete any forms and make sure you have the correct supporting documents.
Debt
If you are worried about debt you can get free and confidential advice and help.
Debts tend to grow so it is important you begin to sort out your problems now. The best way to tackle debts is to make a plan.
- Work out all the money you have coming in. Can your income be increased? For instance, can you claim more benefits or tax credits?
- Work out your regular expenditure (other than your debts). Is there any way to reduce your spending?
- Work out how much you have left to pay your debts and prioritise your debts.
- Get help from a non-profit debt counselling service.
- Think very carefully before borrowing money to pay off your debts.
Do not be pushed into making payments you cannot afford. If you are being harassed by a creditor call National Debtline on 0808 808 4000.
Maximise your income: benefits and tax credits
Extra income might be available to you if you belong to one or more of the following groups:
- Families with dependent children and an income of less than £58,000.
- People without children earning less than £16,000.
- People out of work.
- People with an illness or disability.
- Carers, guardians and people over sixty.
Your housing officer or the Citizens Advice service can help you find out about and claim all the benefits you are entitled to.
Credit Unions
Credit Unions are not for profit cooperatives offering loans at reasonable rates of interest. They are regulated by the Financial Services Authority like banks and building societies, but are more flexible and you could borrow money even if you have had credit problems in the past.
| Lender | Rate |
|---|---|
| Credit Union | 27% APR |
| Doorstep lender | 177% APR |
| Provident | 183% APR |
| Shopacheck | 247% APR |
You can also save with a Credit Union. Contact the Credit Union association ABCUL on 0161 832 3694 for more information.
Help with your utility bills
There are lots of ways to save money on utility bills, helping you to reduce spending.
- Pay by direct debit and paperless billing.
- Take regular meter readings. Bills based on estimated readings mean that you could end up paying more than you use.
- Compare suppliers. There are a number of comparison websites where you can find the best prices.
- Save energy. Small changes to the way you use energy and water can have noticeable effects on your bills.
Your supplier may have a social tariff—a reduced rate for the elderly and those on low incomes and benefits. Contact your supplier to find out if you are eligible.
If you are aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help with the costs of keeping warm in winter. Contact the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 for more information.
For more information about reducing your fuel bills, see our Fuel Information Pack.
Remember, you cannot be disconnected for water rates debts.
Some water companies threaten to disconnect a property because ‘they think the property is empty’. Make sure you keep in touch with the company as they may try to do this if nobody has answered their letters for some time.
If your water company has threatened to disconnect your supply, ring them and make sure that they understand that you are still in the property and they cannot disconnect the supply.
Advice about debt:
Below is a list of organisations who can help you.
- Citizens Advice Tel: 0870 120 2424
- The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice.
- ABCUL Credit Unions Tel: 0161 832 3694
- The home site of the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd, the main trade association for credit unions.
- National Debtline Tel: 0808 808 4000
- The helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
- Money Made Clear Tel: 0300 500 5000
- Helping you with your money. Impartial advice about budgeting, saving and borrowing, mortgages and investments, insurance, retirement planning, tax and welfare benefits, social security benefits and tax credits from the Financial Services Authority.
- Turn2us
- Turn2us helps people access the money available to them—through welfare benefits, grants and other financial help.
- Now Let’s Talk Money
- The “Now Let’s Talk Money” campaign offers a free phone service, provided by the government, to help people on low incomes.
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service Tel: 0800 138 1111
- CCCS is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt.
- Home Heat Helpline Tel: 0800 33 66 99
- The helpline is a free, not for profit phone line set up to help people who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.
- Age UK Tel: 0800 169 65 65
- Promoting the well-being of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
- Community Legal Advice
- Free, confidential and independent legal advice from the Legal Services Commission.
- Credit Action
- Credit Action is a national money education charity offering a range of resources, tools and training to help everybody handle their money well.
- Insolvency Service
- Useful leaflets about dealing with debt from the Insolvency Service.
- Cash Crescent
- An online course to learn about basic financial management. This course helps you to develop your money skills by exploring the issues faced by real people in everyday situations. Get useful information on how to make your money go further, how to choose the right bank account, how to set up a savings plan, how to borrow money sensibly and how to deal with debt.
