Financial support and debt advice

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.
• Check benefits and financial support you can get
• Turn2Us has a free benefits calculator. Find out what benefits, grants or other schemes may be available.
• Pension Credit - GOV.UK - If you are of state pension age or older, and on a low income, you could get pension credit which can unlock other financial support too.

Council tax

• Discounts, exemptions and reductions tells you about Single person discount, Student discount and other help available.
• Contact Council Tax if you are struggling to pay your bill, we can discuss payment options and make sure you are getting all the support you are entitled to.

Mortgage

• Mortgage arrears or problems paying - MoneyHelper provides advice and guidance to help you get back on track.

Rent

• Housing Benefits - check if you can get help with rent payments. Benefits are changing, so you may be asked to claim Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit for help towards your rent.
• If you're struggling to pay your rent - if you don't have enough money to pay your rent there are things you can do.

Water

• Yorkshire Water - Help paying your bill advises on short term and longer-term schemes you can apply for if you are struggling to pay.

Mobile and broadband

• Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages a list of broadband providers offering social tariffs (sometimes called 'essential' or 'basic' broadband). Same broadband, just cheaper.
• Digital access and skills training borrow a digital device or apply for a free SIM card from the Databank if you have a device but have no connectivity, or not enough connectivity. (Quote "Kirklees Council" when asked for the referral organisation).

• GOV UK: Cost of living support - find out what support is available to help with the cost of living.
• 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.
• National Debtline gives free, impartial advice to help you tackle your debts.
• 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.

• 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

• 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.

Beware of scams. Please do not respond to any text messages, emails or phone calls asking for personal information or bank details unless you're sure who they're from. If you think you've been a victim of a scam report it immediately to your bank and the police.

Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates. Please don't be tempted to borrow from a loan shark.

• Action Fraud - The National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.
• Friends Against Scams - Aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams.
• Money Helper: Am I being scammed? How to tell if you've been targeted Guide to types of scams, how to protect yourself and what to do if you've been scammed.
• Report a loan shark - If you spot a loan shark or you've borrowed money from one, you can report them anonymously.
• Take Five - Impartial advice to help everyone in the UK protect themselves against financial fraud.

Money concerns can cause additional stress and anxiety which impacts on our health.

We each deal with stress in a different way. Some people may increase their alcohol consumption, turn to gambling or use drugs to cope.

If you start to feel overwhelmed, or you think you're using harmful behaviours, get help now. You are not alone.

• Mental health support - if you need urgent help support is available.
• Alcohol, drugs and gambling support

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