Cost of living support – Southend-on-Sea City Council
Overall, nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK adults have been concerned about a friend, family member or colleague’s mental wellbeing, linked to money worries
Of those who have been worried, the most common signs include changes in mood and temperament trouble sleeping, and being anxious, stressed or lacking in confidence to contact the bank.
Support available through Money Helper link below:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
Do you have any worries relating to money, budgeting, borrowing or debt?
How confident are you about a budget setting, sticking to it and how to save?
Did you know that Money Advice Service provides a range of management tips, including how to set up a budget, sticking to it and how to save, would you like some further information on this?
Did you know that the Money Advice Service offer a range of free advice on anything that you might be struggling to pay for, would you like some information on this?
Did you know that there is lots of free debt advice services available across the UK, would you like further information on these?
Before borrowing money have you considered if
If you need to borrow money, have you considered the cost of borrowing and where you would source this from?
The Money advice service has advice on different sources of borrowing as well as advice on good debt and bad debt, would you like some further information on this?
Taking the time to manage your money better can really pay off. It can help you stay on top of your bills and save £1,000s each year, would you like some helpful information on managing your money?
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/beginners-guide-to-managing-your-money
Would you like some information on that could assist you with paying for household bills?
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/debt-test/self_service/essentials
The Money advice service has a free debt test that might help you work out and determine your level of debt and see how you can get back on track with your finances. Would you like some further information on this?
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/debt-health-check
Would you like some further information on the many different free and recommended debt advice service that are available either nationally or locally? - See Act section
Managing your money in uncertain times
Cost of living support – Southend-on-Sea City Council
MoneyHelper: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/way-forward
The pandemic and the rising cost of living have left lots of people with new money worries. Whether you’ve been caught off guard by higher bills and payments, uncertain income or the loss of a job, we can help you find your way forward and take the first step towards getting on top of things.
The Money Advice Service
Free and impartial money advice, set up by government
Tel: 08001387777
Web: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
Typetalk: 18001 0800 915 4622, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed
Citizens Advice Service
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to
Tel: 03444 111 444
Web: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/
National Debtline
National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They'll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.
Tel:
Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.
Tel: 0800 622 61 51
Web: http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/
Credit Unions
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
Cost of Living Support announced with effect from 25 May 2022 - Cost of living support factsheet: 26 May 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Are you in financial hardship? Are you just about managing?
Has your income decreased or changed and you are not sure what to do?
Are you struggling to make ends meet?
You may be eligible for the financial support below.
Unsure what benefits you can claim, complete this online calculator with your current information to find out what and how you can claim.
If you are of pensioner age and not in receipt of Pension Credit use this online calculator to see if you are eligible, this could boost your income up to £3,300 a year Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK
There are a few ways you can access food and fuel if you find yourself in need.
Citizens Advice Southend may be able to help with food vouchers or to access with assistance for switching fuel provider and reviewing hardship.
Email: southendinfo@citizensadvicesouthend.org.uk
Direct telephone number: 01702 456352 or 01702 456366
The Essential Living Fund may be able to help with short term 1 off emergencies with a food and fuel award.
The Government have provided a support package to help households with the increase in energy cost, please follow our pages to see if you are entitled: Council tax rebate of £150.
Our LEAP page has more information on this programme if you are struggling to pay your bills and find your home is cold LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme)
Anglian Water’s specially trained extra care support team can create personalised payment plans to help our customers budget, provide some breathing space if they need some extra time to pay, as well as guide them towards other help and benefits available
They also provide a range of free practical support services through their Priority Services Register. Priority Services in place to help lots of people with different needs and is completely free. By signing up, they are made aware of a customer’s circumstance (for example, if they’re living with a disability or going through a life change) and can tailor services to better support peoples needs.
If you are living in rented accommodation and on a low income you may be entitled to help with your housing costs, depending on your circumstances you may have to make this claim from the Department of Works and Pension or the Local Council.
Has your income decreased and now you are struggling to pay your Council Tax Bill, you could be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax.
If you have a rent a top up that you are unable to pay or you considering moving to a more affordable rented accommodation? You may be entitled to help from the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme if you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit or receive the Housing Element in your Universal Credit Payment.
Our Managing Debt page has details of various money advice support groups.
Citizens Advice Southend can help with Debt advice, maximisation of income, help to claim Universal Credit:
Email address: southendinfo@citizensadvicesouthend.org.uk
Direct telephone number: 01702 456352 or 01702 456366
Please follow the links shown below for guides to Adult and Children Mental Health Services.
Livewell Southend is a health and wellbeing self-serve website that provides information and advice on how to stay well plus details on Community Groups, Organisations and details of services that can support all kinds of needs.