Money and benefits

Calderdale Services

• Do you need help to pay for essential household bills or just need support with budgeting? The Council's Early Intervention and Support Team (EAST) can give advice on what services there are to help you.
• People on low incomes may be able to get help to pay Council Tax or rent. For more details, see: Benefits or contact us.
• Our Local Welfare Assistance scheme provides emergency support for people in most need with household items.
• Citizens Advice Calderdale. Free help and support with benefits, debt and money and to claim Universal Credit. They also have a budget tool, visit: Work out your budget.
• Noah's Ark Centre. Free money advice service for clients with a range of money and debt problems. They offer support on budgeting, debt relief orders, debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements. They also run a course funded by Calderdale Adult Learning called Budget Like A Boss!!!! at various locations across Calderdale.
• Calderdale Adult Learning. 'Make Your Money Go Further' is a fun and interactive course. You will learn useful strategies to manage your money well.
• LAB LIFE. (Learn, Achieve, Believe!). Teaches practical ways to save money on everyday things like shopping, heating and travel. (Without a huge change to your lifestyle.) To be eligible, learners must have less than Level 2 (below GCSE C-grade) maths. It is a friendly and supportive place. For the latest course dates, visit: Proper Job.
• Are you a Together Housing Tenant in Calderdale? If you struggle to pay your rent, you can access free welfare benefit advice and support:
  • Phone: 0300 330 5524 (The team's direct number).
  • Phone: 0300 555 5560 (Customer Services Centre).
  • Text 'BENEFITS HELP' to 66099 and an advisor will get back to you.
• Disability Support Calderdale. Run by and for disabled people, they offer advice and information. They can also help with form filling on benefits, housing, carers, employment and training. Run weekly therapeutic art sessions. Meetings are provided by phone, office and face-to-face drop ins. (Also on Facebook: Disability Support Calderdale.)
• Healthy Minds Welfare Rights Service. A free and confidential service that offers support and help, which includes:
  • Check what benefits you are entitled to.
  • Help with benefit forms.
  • Advice about (or representation at) benefits tribunals.
• Age UK. Welfare benefits advice for those over (or approaching) state pension age. This includes benefit checks and help to complete claim forms.
• Calderdale Credit Union. For advice on saving money, how to get a loan or help to budget. They can offer a Floodsave scheme for residents living in areas with a high risk of flooding. This offers savings of up to £10,000. The Community Foundation for Calderdale will match fund to assist with repairing damage. If you need to borrow money, the Union offers a safe and ethical option to loan sharks. Find out more about their current products and services. They can also help you to save for Christmas. You can also visit their page on Facebook: Calderdale Credit Union.

National services

Money (includes calculators and tools)

• Contact your high street bank to find out if they can help you with your budgeting or financial queries. They often have a range of tools to help you set and achieve your financial goals.
• Money Helper gives impartial help, is backed by Government and free to use. There are lots of money tools, which include:
  • Bill prioritiser tool.
  • A loan calculator.
  • Savings calculator.
  • Credit card calculator.
  • Budget planner.
  • Divorce and money calculator.
  • Mortgage calculator.
  • Car costs calculator.
  • Compare bank account fees and charges.
• Moneysavingexpert.com. Download a free mental health guide, also free money saving tips and resources.

Types of benefits, payments and grants

• The Government has provided cost of living support payments to eligible households since July 2022. These are for means-tested benefits claimants (including those on Universal Credit, disabled people and pensioners). Find out more about the latest payments for 2023.
• To check if you could get any benefits, visit: Benefits Calculators.
• Universal Credit. All you need to know about Universal Credit.
• Benefits in later life: Find out how to claim Pension Credit.
• Benefits for Carers: Can you claim Carer's Allowance?
• Turn2us. Use their free Benefits Calculator and Grants Search tools to check what you maybe able to claim/apply for.

Debt

• There is a Government scheme that provides temporary protection from most types of debt collection. To check if you are eligible, visit: Breathing Space Fact Sheet.
• National Debtline. Free and confidential debt advice service run by the Money Advice Trust. Call 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or use their webchat.
• StepChange Debt Charity. Free, confidential and expert debt advice/money guidance. They will:
  • Let you know what the best solution or service is that meets your needs.
  • Support you while you deal with money worries, for as long as you need.
  • If you need help with your debts, try their 60-second debt test.
• Priority debts and bills (StepChange). Find out what debts to pay first and what happens if you do not pay.
• Pay Plan. Free debt advice and solutions for people with multiple debts.
• The Money Advice Service. These keep a list of online, phone and face-to-face debt advice services.

Borrowing and saving

• Help to Save. This scheme gives low-income earners that claim Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit:
  • A 50% savings boost on the amount saved;
  • up to a maximum of £1,200, over four years.
• Affordable Borrowing Options. Get help and find out if you need to borrow and if you can afford it. Also, what to do if you are refused credit.
  • Fair For You offer flexible, affordable and ethical loans for household items bought via their online high street.
  • Fair Finance provide loans to people struggling to access mainstream finance. Find out how to improve your credit profile.
• Are you worried about loan sharks? Find out what help and support is available on our help with loan sharks page.

Gambling

Are you worried about gambling? Does it affect you or someone you care about? If the answer is yes, there is support for you.

• National Gambling Helpline. Free confidential information, advice and support.
  • Phone: 0808 8020133;
  • or use their live webchat 24-hours a day everyday of the year.
• Gamblers Anonymous. Get support at your local meeting.
• Gambling Understood. For information and support.
• NECA.