If you are struggling to make ends meet it is worth looking at your income and outgoings and working out if there are any savings you can make on bills, any extra benefits you may be entitled to, and finding out where you can get help and advice about your options.
If you rent your home and your circumstances have changed you may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help with the rent. You may also qualify for Council Tax Benefit and other welfare benefits - even if you are working you may be able to get some benefits to to top up your income.
Lots of people who could claim benefits are missing out because they don't know what is available to them. In general benefits are not backdated, so don't delay - make a claim.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit help people on low incomes to pay their rent and council tax bills.
One application form can be used to apply for both benefits and, if you qualify, benefit will be paid from the Monday after the Council receive your form - so don't delay, claim today.
Other help from the Council
The Council also offers other support, such as free school meals, to help families who are on a low income. Click here for more information.
Nine out of ten families with children qualify for tax credits, but you don't need to have children to claim. You may also qualify if you are working and on a low income.
Child Tax Credit is paid if you are responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you. You don't have to be working to claim Child Tax Credit.
Working Tax Credit is based on the hours you work and get paid for, or expect to be paid for. You can claim whether you're an employee or a self-employed person.
Use the tax credits calculator to check whether you qualify and find out how much you might get.
There is a whole range of benefits that you might be able to claim from the Department of Work & Pensions depending on your circumstances - for instance whether you are unemployed or working and on a low income, whether you are disabled, whether you are single or have a family and whether you are caring for someone.
GOVUK offer an online 'benefits advisor' to help you find out which benefits you may be able to get and how much could be paid.
