Do you have any worries relating to money, budgeting, borrowing or debt?
If you do there are a range of services that can provide support for you to help you with your finances. You don't have to go through this alone. Would you like some more information about these services?
How confident are you about a budget setting, sticking to it and how to save?
- A debt advisor will never judge anyone or make them feel bad about their financial situation
- They will work with you to find a way to manage debts, even when people feel that they have no spare money
- Most people who seek help from a debt advisor feel better afterwards - less stressed or anxious and more in control of their life again
Did you know that there are services available that offer a range of free advice on anything that you might be struggling to pay for?
A debt adviser will never judge you or make you feel bad about their situation and that they will work with you to find way find ways to manage debt. Most people who have received debt advice feel less stressed or anxious and more in control of their life again.
Do you want some more information on local services who can help?
Are you experiencing any money worries at the moment?
How do you feel about your current money situation?
You can explore this question by asking about the types of words they would use to describe how it makes them feel, how much time they spend thinking about money or if they try to block out thoughts about money.
Is anyone helping you with your money or benefits at the moment?
This could include:
- a family member or friend
- bank, loans company or credit union
- local council
- advice centre ike Citizens Advice
- community group
- place of worship
Other useful regional services:
Pension Credit
Use this collection of materials to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit.
This toolkit is for anyone who works with pensioners. Use it to help older people understand how they may get extra money every week by:
- increasing understanding in your organisation
- helping your customers find out if they could get Pension Credit
The toolkit contains:
- guidance to help you understand Pension Credit
- information to help you support someone applying for Pension Credit
- common reasons why pensioners don’t claim
- ideas for events and dealing with the media
- useful contacts
The Pension Credit toolkit can be accessed here: Pension Credit
What is financial wellbeing?
It is about feeling secure and in control. It is knowing that you can pay the bills today, can deal with the unexpected, and are on track for a healthy financial future.
What is inflation?
Inflation is the term we use to describe rising prices. How quickly prices go up is called the rate of inflation.
A low and stable rate of inflation helps to create a healthy economy. The Government sets a target for how much prices overall should go up each year in the UK. That target is 2%. It’s the Bank of England job to keep inflation at that target.
A little bit of inflation is helpful. But high and unstable rates of inflation can be harmful.
Budget Planner
MoneyHelper want to help you know exactly where your money is being spent, and how much you’ve got coming in. Knowing where every pound is being spent is a great first step to starting your savings, getting out of debt or preparing for retirement. Their Budget Planner can help.
They’ll give you:
- a place to record all your spending, so you won’t forget anything
- a breakdown of your finances by category
- personalised tips when you’re all finished
Access via Budget Planner
Bill Prioritiser
It can be difficult to manage all the different bills and payments in our lives. The consequences of missing some types of bills can be more serious than if you fall behind on others.
The MoneyHelper Bill prioritiser can help you put your bills and payments in the right order. If you’re struggling to pay, it will tell you what to do before you miss a payment in two easy steps.
Access this via Bill Prioritiser
Credit Card Calculator
Credit cards are like having a loan for the amount you’ve spent using the card. They’re easy to carry, offer a way to buy-now-pay-later, and give you buyer’s protection. It’s easy to get stung with a credit card though.
Access the calculator via Credit Card Calculator
Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)
If you live in England or Wales, you can get temporary protection from your creditors while you get debt advice and make a plan. This scheme is called ‘Breathing Space’. You can get temporary protection for up to 60 days.
You’ll still need to make your debt repayments.
If you get it:
- enforcement action cannot be taken against you
- your creditors cannot contact you about debts included in your Breathing Space
- your creditors cannot add interest or charges to your debt
If you’re getting mental health crisis treatment, your protection from creditors will be longer. It will last for the length of your treatment, plus another 30 days.
To apply for the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme, you need to talk to a debt adviser. They will submit an application on your behalf if it’s the right thing to do.It’s free to apply for ‘Breathing Space’, but some debt advisers may charge you a fee.
Find out more at Breathing Space
Citizens Advice
Citizens advice can help to resolve legal, money and a huge variety of other issues by providing free, independent and confidential advice every year.
Telephone: 03444 111 444
Open: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
National Debt Line
National debt line provides personalised advice about your money and debt solution options.
Open: Monday to Friday: 9am – 8pm & Saturday: 9.30am - 1pm
Telephone: 0808 808 4000
GOV UK: options for paying off debts
Support and advice around debt management and repayment.
GOV UK: applying for a budgeting loan
Interest free loans available to people who have claimed income-related benefits for 26 weeks or more and can be used to buy essential items such as rent, furniture and clothes.
Step Change
Step change can offer support and guidance if you are concerned about your finances.
NE first Credit Union
NE first credit union offers free advice on loans and savings.
Telephone: 0330 055 3666
Email: info@nefirstcu.co.uk or durham@nefirstcu.co.uk
Gov UK: report a loan shark
Protect yourself from illegal money lenders, more commonly known as loan sharks.
Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates.
Telephone: 0800 111 6768
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 1pm
consumer.queries@fca.org.uk
Stop loan sharks
Stop loan sharks provide specialist support, help and advice for victims of loan sharks during this difficult time.
Telephone: 0300 555 2222
Money and Mental Health
Practical tips on managing your money and improving your mental health
Mental Health and Money
Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Fighting UK Poverty - Turn2us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.
Advice Local
Your local guide to help with benefits, work, money, housing problems and more
Help for Households
We know people are worried so the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
Inbest
Helping people to find their benefits. Inbest partners with financial firms, welfare advisers and money management apps to help people maximise their income and reduce their bills.
Lloyds Bank Academy
Lloyds Bank Academy provides free online and face to face training, to help you with the skills and confidence to achieve your digital, financial and work life goals.
The Academy is open to everyone, easy to use and you don't need to be a Lloyds Bank customer to access it.