We understand that the cost of living increases are putting pressure on everyone, and how managing your money can sometimes feel overwhelming.

We want to support you to get the help you need, so that you feel confident in handling your financial commitments.

We can help with questions about Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments and Hardship Payments, along with money and rent advice.

We also offer support if you’re struggling with the cost of living. We can connect you to local and national support agencies that support with everything from managing your rent account and budgeting to benefit / debt advice and affordable credit options.

Support you can access includes

Financial support

We know how difficult the last couple of years have been and we want to help if you’re in financial difficulty. If you’re struggling with the cost of living increase then we can offer short-term financial support. Please visit www.forhousing.co.uk/live-well/ and fill in the short form and someone will be in touch quickly.

Improving your budgeting skills:

Get the most out of your money by developing your budgeting skills. Reach out to us if you’re interested in learning more.

Understanding debt advice:

Deal with creditors to minimise the impact of your debts. This can be through affordable repayment offers, debt relief order, or bankruptcy. We can talk you through what each of these mean.

Making the most of your income:

Receive any welfare benefits you’re entitled to, save on utility bills, and shop around to get the best value for money.

Accessing financial services:

Your local credit union offers an alternative to borrowing from, or saving with, national banks. They have a range of services including loans and savings accounts.

Many credit unions are willing to offer loans to members even when they have been previously turned down by banks. Click here to find your local credit union.

More than ever, you may feel the need to borrow money for a short period of time, but it’s important that you borrow from a genuine lender and avoid loan sharks.

Loan sharks tend to lend money with no paperwork and high interest rates so you can never pay back the money and will always be in their debt.

These loans are not enforceable without a court order which is why loan sharks often threaten and use intimidation to get you to pay. If you spot a loan shark or you’ve borrowed money from one you can report them anonymously to the England Illegal Money Lending team:

Telephone: 0300 555 2222 (24-hour service)
Text a report to 07860 022 11

If you’re looking for further guidance or advice, you can find other resources below

Energy and water

We want to help you reduce energy and water use to help you save money on essential living costs.

Switching to an alternative energy supplier 

Now might not be the best time to switch.  Energy prices are set to rise regularly. High energy costs mean fewer deals are available right now. To see what deals available check on the energylinx website – (others comparison sites are available).   

Reduce energy consumption to save

You can save money on your energy bills by making some simple changes.

Take control of the temperatures in your home

Use your heating controls, such as thermostats and timers, to heat your home without wasting energy.

Make sure you keep your living room (or the room you use most) warm during the day while you’re at home at 21°C (70°F) and heat your bedroom to 18°C (64°F) before you go to bed.

Don’t forget if you don’t need it, turn your heating off when you go to bed.

If you can reduce these temperatures by an average of 1^oC you could save £55 a year.

If there are rooms you don’t use, like a spare bedroom, turn off the radiators in them and close the doors.

Set the thermostatic radiator valves (TRV)

As with your room thermostat, you should set the radiator thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) in each room at a low level, then gradually turn them up until the room’s left at a comfortable temperature. Turning a TRV to a higher setting will not make the room heat up any faster – that depends on the boiler size and setting, and the radiator size. All it will do is keep heating the room until it’s at the temperature designated by the TRV.

Keep radiators and heaters clear so hot air can circulate

Don’t forget to draw your curtains when its dark and tuck them behind radiators to minimise heat loss. And don’t forget if you are away from your home turn the thermostat off.