For information about how to pay your rent, click below.
Want to talk about money?
If your bills are putting you and your finances under stress, we can help.
We can work with you to manage your budgets, maximise your income and make sure you are receiving all of the benefits you are entitled to.
If you live within our Supported Housing, please speak to your Support Worker for this financial support, or your Housing Officer should you not have an allocated Support Worker.
If you live within our General Housing schemes, please contact your Housing Officer via Customer Services on 01202 410 500.
We can:
- Discuss your financial situation and make sure you are receiving all the help and benefits that you are entitled to
- Provide guidance on Universal Credit/Housing Benefit and solve any confusion on payments and job search requirements
- Look at your bills, and see if there are any ways of reducing them
- Offer guidance on how the Welfare Reform may affect you, both now and in the future
- Discuss any debts you may have and work out the best way forward to deal with them
Debt Counselling and Money Advice
Our BCHA Learn team offer several free courses designed to help you through the cost of living crisis, whether you’d like to save money on household expenses or learn how to cook delicious meals on a budget.
Click below to find the right learning opportunity for you.
Our customers have also produced an edition of our Tenant Talk Magazine dedicated to the cost-of-living crisis, with advice on how to save money and handle the stress of finances.
Below you’ll find resources from other organisations that could help you save money.
See what support you could receive, from benefits and budgeting, to help with childcare and travel with Citizens Advice.
Find information on cost of living payments, Winter Fuel Payments and the Warm Home Discount from Help for Households.
Find guidance on dealing with debt from Citizens Advice.
For free debt advice, call StepChange on 0800 138 1111.
Get help with reducing your energy bills with Ofgem.
Get help with managing debt with Citizens Advice.
Get help with calculating how much your appliances cost to run with GoCompare.
Various providers offer broadband social tariffs for Universal Credit recipients which are discounted packages designed for lower income households. Examples include BT Homes Essentials, Virgin Media Essential Plus and Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials, all priced around £20 or less per month.
In order to apply, check your eligibility criteria for a specific providers social tariff
Have your documents ready to prove your eligibility as providers will need to verify your income status
Contact the provider, visit the providers website or contact their customer service to apply, as these deals are not always advertised on comparison sites
If you are struggling for food, first contact your local council or a Citizens Advice Bureau for a referral to a food bank or other emergency support. Food banks provide emergency food parcels, and some organisations offer other support, such as food pantries or community fridges.
Immediate help:
- Contact your local council: They may offer a Welfare Assistance or Household Support scheme to help with food, energy, or other essentials.
- Call the Trussell Trust's Help through Hardship line: They can provide telephone support and may be able to issue a voucher for an emergency food parcel.
- Contact Citizens Advice: They can help you find your nearest food bank and provide support to get a referral.
Find and use food banks:
- Look for food banks online: You can use the Trussell Trust website to find your nearest food bank by postcode.
- Get a referral: Most food banks require a referral or voucher, which can be obtained from places like your child's school, a doctor, social worker, the council, or Citizens Advice.
- Ask about delivery: If you have difficulty getting to a food bank, contact them to see if they can deliver your food parcel.
Other local support:
- Community pantries: These often operate on a membership basis where you pay a small fee for weekly groceries at a reduced price.
- Check local store offers: Some supermarkets have initiatives, like discounted "Too Good To Waste" boxes of produce that would otherwise be thrown away.
- Ask about additional support: A local food bank or Citizens Advice can also connect you to other services that might be able to help with specific needs.
Find 90+ ways to save with Money Saving Expert.
Get tips to make your income go further with Money Helper.
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