Benefit or debt advice

We understand that many of your are on low incomes or benefits and managing you money may be difficult in today’s climate. We will try to help you where we can.

We have produced a booklet called paying your rent, this is to try and help you make the most of your money and get all the benefits you are entitled to. The booklet covers bank accounts and credit unions, dealing with debt, managing your bills, access to benefits, getting into work and much more.

Benefits – are you claiming what you are entitled to?

There are a range of benefits that you may be entitled to including:

Housing Benefit, Carers Allowance, Council tax benefit, Disability living allowance, Jobseekers allowance, Income support, Child benefit, Incapacity benefit, Tax credits, Pension credits, State retirement pension.

Our income team can help you to:

Work out what benefits you could be entitled to.
Fill in the application forms.
Take all identification and supporting information and send to your Local Authority.
Speak to your Local Authority on your behalf and help you process your claim.

Debt advice - are you struggling with your bills?

Trying to cope with money worries alone can be very stressful. Most people at some point in their lives experience problems of a financial nature.

Come and see us, our income team can:

Give you guidance on managing your household accounts and give you tips and advice on how to budget.
Arrange an appointment with you to offer advice on your household budgeting on an entirely confidential basis.
Introduce you to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Debt Counselling Service.

What you can expect from the Citizens Advice Bureau. They will:

Explore your overall financial position.
Look at your income and expenditure.
Consider other benefit entitlements.
Draw up a financial statement that can be sent to your creditors.
Help set up affordable repayments.
Send letters to creditors on your behalf.
Assist with Court Summons.
Basic bank accounts

Would having a bank account help you manage your money?

If you have had problems in the past with opening up a bank account we may be able to help you with a Natwest Basic Bank Account.

The advantages that having a bank account give you are:

Have your wages, benefits, state pension or tax credits paid directly into your account.
Pay in cheques for free (You will need to wait for them to clear).
Take money out at cash machines (This is usually free but some places charge).
Pay your bills by direct debit, meaning you can pay less for some things, especially gas, electric and telephone.
Have a card on your account where you can make purchases in shops or on the internet.

Our income team can help you to:

Fill in the application forms and advise on what identification you need.
Make an appointment with Natwest to get your account open.
Help you set up standing orders and direct debits for your bills.

Borrowing money

More and more people are finding themselves faced with debt problems and one of the easiest ways to fall into more debt is by taking out a loan from a doorstep lender. The reality, by taking out a loan of £100 over one year you could be paying back as much as £160 to the lender! Even some reputable lenders have interest rates of up to 133% APR.

Never use loan sharks

A Loan Shark is someone who lends money without the appropriate license issued by the Office of Fair Trading. Loan Sharks rarely, if ever, give any paperwork and if payments are missed they often use intimidation and violence to get money from their ‘clients’.

Speak to us:

Always use reputable lenders with reasonable interest rates. Credit Unions, for example are not for profit organizations that offer similar services to banks and can offer very low interest rates. If you are thinking about getting a loan, why not speak to your Income Officer who may be able to talk through some alternative options for you.

We have included some useful links and telephone numbers to public services and other agencies.

Christian Against Poverty 0800 328 0006		Now lets talk money Providing advice for people with money worries.

Citizens Advice (CAB) Helping to resolve legal, money and other problems by providing a free, independent and confidential advice service.		Jobcentre Plus Helping people into work and giving people of working age the help and support they are entitled to if they cannot work.

Financial Services Authority 0845 606 1234		Community Legal Advice 0845 345 4 345

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Helping people to lead safer, fairer and more rewarding lives that are free from poverty.		National Debtline Offering free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.

Directgov This is the government's public information and on-line services website, offering advice on money, benefits, motoring, human rights, the environment and more.		Shelter Providing advice, information and support to people in housing need and campaigning for political change to end the housing crisis.

Entitled to Are you missing out on benefits and tax credits? Entitledto can help you make sure you get what is yours.		Samaritans Providing confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support for people with feelings of distress or despair 24 hours a day.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service 0800 138 1111