Money Management
If you are struggling financially then make sure you’re claiming all the money you are entitled to.
Use the Government's benefits calculator to see what you could claim. This should only be used as a guide and the results may differ from what you are offered.
Take the 60-second debt test on the StepChange Debt Charity website.
Check out the Money Helper Budget Planner(opens in a new window) to help with keeping track of your finances or take a look at their Bill Prioritiser(opens in a new window) to help you sort your bills and payments in the right order and tell you what you need to do if you’re struggling to pay before you miss a payment
Call the Government backed Money Advice Service for free and impartial advice on:
0800 138 7777
Visit the Money Helper website (opens in a new window) to find a free debt adviser near you, online or on the phone.
A useful budget calculator from Money Helper:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/use-our-budget-planner
Cost of Living Support
On our website, we have a list of support available, this is updated periodically, and can be viewed at:
https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/community/general-information-support
Council Tax
If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, then please get in touch with our team as soon as possible so we can discuss your options.
If you are on a low income or claiming benefits, then you may qualify for Council Tax Support which can reduce your bill. This applies whether you own your own home or rent and whether you are unemployed or working.
There are other discounts you may qualify for, and you can also ask to spread your payments over 12 months instead of 10 to lower the monthly cost, although the total bill remains the same.
Apply for Council Tax support at Council Tax Support.
Claiming Benefits
You can find out more about the range of available benefits on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website(opens in a new window)
And GOV.UK website (opens in a new window)
Help to Save is a type of Money Saving Account. It will allow certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over four years.
Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure.
Read about Help to Save on GOV.UK
If you’re raising a disabled or seriously ill child and need financial support, you may be able to apply for a Family Fund Grant. Find out about Family Fund grants.
Credit Union
Credit Unions are an alternative to high street banks. They are not-for-profit organisations created to support their members rather than shareholders. They can be used by anyone and offer a range of services including current accounts, savings accounts, Christmas saving accounts and loans. They are a welcome alternative to pay day lenders and loan sharks which we advise you to avoid using.
Money Box Credit Union:
https://www.moneyboxcu.org.uk/
Email: info@moneyboxcu.org.uk
Tel: 01743 252325
No Interest Loan
These provide interest free, small loans to support those in receipt of benefits or on low income with the purchase of essential items.
Loan Shark
Have you ever been offered a cash loan? Did they fail to give you paperwork? Did they add huge amounts of interest to your loan? Have they threatened you? Are you scared of people finding out? Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?
If you answered yes to any of those questions then you could have borrowed money from an illegal money lender, more commonly known as a loan shark. You are not alone. It is estimated 310,000 people across the UK are in debt to illegal money lenders. We support the work of the national Illegal Money Lending Team to raise awareness of what loan sharks are, support victims and direct people to safe and legal alternatives.
If you suspect a loan shark you can report in confidence by calling 0300 555 2222, text 078600 22116 or use the online form on the stop load sharks’ website.
If your income is low, you have a poor credit rating or you only need a small amount for a short period of time then there are alternatives to loan sharks that are legal and safe, such as a Credit Union.
Finance for Young People
GET THERE Worcestershire brings together information for young people aged 16 to 25 on careers and training, relationships, money, health and wellbeing, housing and GET SAFE. Visit the GET THERE Worcestershire website (opens in a new window)
Visit our Futureproof page for more advice and support.
We know that learning important life skills from an early age, will stand us in good stead throughout our lives. When we surveyed over 1200 young people in 2019, over two thirds told us that they wanted to develop their money management skills. We want to support our educational establishments and youth providers to deliver these types of sessions, and we are working, as a partnership, to develop a toolkit for young people.