Financial support and debt advice

Benefits, Council Tax and other support and advice

Benefits

Make sure you have claimed all the benefits you are entitled to. For working age families, this could be Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Statutory Sick Pay.

• Benefits - Check if you can get Housing Benefit to help with your rent, Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit or other benefits.
• How to claim Universal Credit - Universal Credit can help with your living costs if you're on a low income or out of work.
• Better Off Kirklees - Find out about the benefits you are entitled to and get help to apply for them online. There is also information about how to find and apply for jobs.
• Entitledto is a free online benefits calculator to get an estimate of what benefits you could be entitled to.

Council Tax

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax there is support available.

• Council Tax Energy Rebate 2022-23 - You may be eligible for up to £150 support for energy bills.
• Discounts, exemptions and reductions tells you about Single person discount, Student discount and other help available.

Other Council Tax support

Contact Council Tax if you are struggling to pay your bill, so we can make sure you are getting all the support you are entitled to.

Support and advice

• Age UK offer a variety of services for people in later life. This includes support with benefit checks and household bills, keeping well and housing options.
• Kirklees Citizens Advice and Law Centre can help to review your budget, check income, look at the best debt strategy and support you to deal with creditors.
• Money Helper gives free guidance on benefits, everyday money, money troubles, pensions and savings.
• Options for paying off your debts offers advice about making arrangements to pay your debts.
• PayPlan provides solutions for people who have multiple debts.
• Step Change Debt Charity offers help to manage your money better, debt advice and help with creditors.
• Turn2Us has a free benefits calculator. Find out what benefits, grants or other schemes may be available.
• Yorkshire Water - Help paying your bill advises on short term and longer-term schemes you can apply for if you are struggling to pay.

Advice for council tenants

• Money advice gives free and impartial advice to tenants. A wide range of support is available on budgeting and money management, energy debt, job loss, insolvency, rent matters and more.
• For tenants supported by Pinnacle:
  
  • Email kirklees.housing@pinnaclegroup.co.uk
  • Phone 0330 036 1517

Additional support for families with children

• Auntie Pam's offers welcoming support for women and families. They give help and advice on housing, benefits, health and pregnancy, and have a clothes swap-shop.

Childcare

• Free learning and childcare for 2 year olds - If you receive certain benefits, or depending on your child's circumstances, you can claim free early learning and childcare.
• Free learning and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds - Working parents of 3 or 4 year olds may be able to get an extra 15 hours of free childcare during school term time, if they meet certain criteria.
• Tax-free childcare - Check if you can get tax-free childcare.

Schools

• Free school meals - If you receive certain benefits your child could get free school meals and holiday vouchers.
• School transport - You could get help with school transport if you're on a low income or if the school is a distance away.
• Uniform Exchange offers free, pre-loved school uniforms for children attending a school in Kirklees.

Risk of homelessness

• If you are at immediate risk of homelessness:
  
  • Phone 01484 221350
  • Email housing.options@kirklees.gov.uk
• Tell us about someone sleeping rough