Help if you’re struggling with money and the cost of living
We know that the cost of living is putting a strain on finances. Eating well and keeping warm are important to managing diabetes and dealing with money worries can also have an impact on mental health. Whilst we continue to call on the Government to take action to address the cost of living and provide greater support to people living in poverty, we wanted to share sources of support for money, benefit and debt advice.
It can feel difficult to talk about money worries. And if you’ve had a bad experience in the past, it can make it feel harder or like there’s little you can do. But there are sources of support that you can reach out to for help maximising your income, getting benefit support and help dealing with debt.
We’ve put some links below to sources of information and places that might be able to help.
Managing money
- Read tips about managing money from the Money Saving Expert.
- The Money and Pension Advice Service have find your way forward guidance on the MoneyHelper website to help manage money in uncertain times. They have specific resources and tools if you are:
- Struggling to keep on top of your bills and payments
- Have experienced a reduction in income or squeezed budgets
- Are self-employed
- Have been or are worried about being made redundant or losing your job
- If you live in Scotland, you can use the money map from Citizens Advice Scotland to find online sources of support: increase your income, reduce your bills and ease the cost of living: Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland.
Check if you’re eligible for benefits to help with the cost of living
There are benefit calculators you can use to find out if you’re eligible for benefit support:
- Policy in practice Benefit Calculator
- Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
Debt advice
- Contact a debt service near you. Christians Against Poverty provides support with debt and unemployment and lists the contact details of local debt services.
- Contact StepChange. StepChange provides free advice about money problems, debt and budgeting.
- Your local Citizens Advice Office may be able to provide debt support – find your local office here (England and Wales) and your local bureaux here, if you live in Scotland.
