If you are struggling with money, you should check you are getting the correct support. Up to 7 million people are not claiming benefits they are entitled to. Check that you are not one of them with Fighting UK Poverty - Turn2us. This also includes those of State Pension age who may be entitled to Pension Credit.
Immediate financial help
If you need immediate financial help you may be entitled to emergency support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or us - Immediate financial help.
If you require assistance with paying your Council Tax, you may be entitled to a reduction, discount or exemption to help reduce your bill. Reducing your Council Tax can help you identify financial help which may be available to you based on your current circumstances.
Debt and money
You can find further help and information on managing debt and advice for dealing with creditors on our debt and money page.
Breathing Space Debt Respite Scheme
If you are in debt and need a break from interest, fees, and court action for up to 60 days, the Breathing Space Debt Respite Scheme may be able to help.
You can find further information on the GOV.UK website.
Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding
Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding is an independent local charity which has been providing free, confidential and impartial advice to people in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire for more than 85 years.
Expert advisers can help you overcome your problems, including financial issues with debt, benefits and energy bills.
Last year the charity’s services generated outcomes worth £41.8m for clients, equivalent to £1.7m every fortnight, and changed thousands of lives for the better.
You can access support in Hull by attending drop-in advice sessions at The Wilson Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, or by calling Adviceline on 0808 278 7981. You can also request advice through an online form.
If you have concerns about debt, you can call 01482 226859 to request an appointment with a specialist or get email support by filling in this form. The team will work through your unique circumstances with you and help you find solutions and get on top of the problem.
Citizens Advice’s Help To Claim service can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first correct payment. Call for free on 0800 144 8 444 or chat to an adviser online.
The specialist Energy Team can help you to save money on your bills, make sure you’re not missing out on benefits you’re entitled to and find support for you if you’re in debt. They will make sure you’re getting the best prices and discounts and talk to your supplier on your behalf to help you solve any issues. Call 0800 4480721 (9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).
Citizens Advice can also help you with a range of other issues including housing, employment and consumer issues, and has a specialist team to support serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.
Gambling
In Hull, there are several free support options if gambling is causing harm to you or someone you care about.
Gamcare Yorkshire and Humber
Gamcare Yorkshire and Humber are a regional service that offers flexible support across our area. They can also provide targeted money guidance to help manage gambling financial related issues.
The national gambling helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7.
NECA Gambling Practitioners
NECA works with Gamble Aware to deliver free, specialist gambling advice and information for individuals and families that need help.
Family Information Service
Find out what funded childcare there is available from the Family Information Service website.
Mobile phones
The National Databank provides the following services free, for people in need -
- mobile data
- texts
- calls
Anyone that does not have regular access to the internet can visit their nearest Virgin Money store and pick up an O2 sim card with 20GB of free data. This is enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing every month. The free data allowance renews every month and lasts for 6 months.
PDSA
You may be entitled to help form the PDSA for your pet. You can access the PDSA Eligibility checker.
You can sign up to My Revenue and Benefits Account for your benefit claim information to provide proof you are in receipt of Housing Benefit for PDSA.
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you can use your Universal Credit Journal.
Council Tax
If you need assistance with paying your Council Tax, you may be entitled to a Reduction, Discount or Exemption to help reduce your bill. We can help you identify financial help which may be available to you based on your current circumstances.
Help for Households
The Help for Households campaign brings together over 40 support schemes that you may be able to access depending on eligibility. There are also online tools for you to check the support you might be eligible for and how to access it.
You can access our interactive map, which shares free and affordable events taking place. If you have any events you would like to include, share your events by completing a short form (opens in new window).
Pension Credit
Pension Credit has two parts - Guaranteed Credit and Savings Credit. A person may be able to get one or both parts depending on their circumstances. The type of Pension Credit you get may affect which passported benefits you may automatically get.
Four ways Pension Credit helps pensioners save -
- Housing costs - Pension Credit can help with certain housing costs. Eligible pensioners might also qualify for a Local Council Tax Reduction to lower their council tax bill, Housing Benefit if they're renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if they own their home.
- Energy bills - Pension Credit unlocks access to additional energy support. Eligible pensioners could receive the Warm Home Discount to reduce electricity costs and Cold Weather Payments during particularly cold spells.
- Health and wellbeing - Pension Credit can provide access to essential NHS services. This includes dental treatment and help with transport costs for hospital appointments.
- TV Licence - Pensioners aged 75 and over who are eligible for Pension Credit qualify for a free TV Licence.