Money Problems
If you'd like to see if you qualify for
Council Tax, or Housing Benefit, use our online
Calculator, you might also find our benefits web
pages of use.
Or if you, or someone in your family suffers
from a disability, please check our dealing
with disability life events page for more information relating
to possible grants.
If you are a Council tenant and
worried about paying your rent, please contact South
Lakes Housing at the earliest opportunity, alternatively you
may find yourself threatened with homelessness.
Family Outgoings
There is also help available in the form of
financial assistance from Cumbria County Council by means
of Free
School Meals as well as the Learner
Support Fund for children in sixth form education.
Assistance is also available for
Student Travel
Further information on the Education
Maintenance Allowance, and an application pack can be obtained from
your child’s sixth form or college. Further details of the
EMA scheme are available by calling the parent and student free
helpline on: 08081 016 219 or visiting the EMA
website
Debt Advice
Directgov provide many pages of advice
regarding
Money, Tax, Benefits and Managing
Debt
Debt
options provides information on debt advice.
The Citizens
Advice Bureau is yet another invaluable source of
information and advice regarding debts, and debt management
Consumer Credit Counselling
Service is a registered charity offering free,
confidential advice and support by means of a debt counsellor to
anyone who is worried about debt. Call freefone
helpline 0800 138 1111 to speak in total
confidence.
Community Legal
Advice can provide free confidential information on legal
issues surrounding debit, and whether you qualify for legal
aid
Insolvency
helpline provides information on bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy-Insolvency.co.uk
- debt advice service - telephone advice service and online
resource offering confidential and non-judgemental debt advice to
individuals who are experiencing debt problems. Call
freephone helpline 0800 074 6918 to apply online.
Help with Budgeting
Financial Services Authority
(FSA) are an independent body that regulate the financial
services industry in the UK. They provide an
online financial health check service to help you work out
your financial priorities and make decisions about your money, as
well as an online budget
calculator to help you to think about your spending and to work
out whether you have enough money coming in to cover your
outgoings.
Mortgage Arrears advice
Mortgage
Arrears Advice from USwitch. We also have information
about the Government Mortgate Rescue
Scheme.
Banks & Building Societies
Most of the high street banks and building societies provide
information on debt, and financial worries, it is worth checking
with the relevant bank or building society, as each may have
different policies. This list is not exhaustive, if you do
not see your building society or bank listed, check on their
website or ring your local branch for advice.
Abbey – Financial Difficulties
Barclays – Help managing your money
Co-operative Bank – Managing your finances
Furness
Building Society – Help with Mortgage Repayments
Halifax
– Managing Debt
HSBC – Putting your finances in order
Lloyds TSB – Facing Financial Difficulties
Nationwide
– Payment Difficulties
RBS
– Having problems paying the mortgage
Credit Card advice from Visa Credit –
Better Money
Management of Credit Cards