Guide to help you manage your money
Contents
PageUniversal Credit / 3
Are you missing out on money? / 4
Budgeting / 4
Priority bills & debts / 5
Paying your rent / 6
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support / 7
Basic bank accounts & Jam Jar account / 7
Savings & low cost loans / 8
Loan sharks / 9
Save money on your energy bills, home phone & broadband / 9
Home Contents insurance / 10
Moving Costs / 10
Furniture / 11
Food banks / 12
Soup Kitchen / 13
Useful contacts / 13
Budget planner / 19
5 free energy saving tips / 23
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Universal Credit (UC)
From October 2013 the Government will be introducing a new benefit called Universal Credit. It will replace:
· Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
· Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
· Income Support
· Child Tax Credit
· Working Tax Credit
· Housing Benefit
Most claims for Universal Credit will have to be made online. You will need an email address to send and receive information about your claim.
Universal Credit will be paid into a bank or building society account as a single payment, monthly in arrears.
If you qualify for help with your rent, this will be included in your Universal Credit. You will be responsible for paying your own rent rather than having it paid directly to your landlord.
What you can do to prepare for UC
1. Go online
If you need help getting online or setting up an email address, your local library can help you to find a course. You can get free access to the internet and WIFI at various places in Darlington.
For more information visit:
Website: www.darlington.gov.uk
www.ukonlinecentres.com
2. Open a bank account
If you don’t already have a bank account you can open a basic bank or jam jar account where you can have your Universal Credit paid into and where you can set up a Direct Debit to pay your rent and bills. For more information see page 7.
3. Budgeting advice
If you need some help to budget for all your bills each month or if you feel unsure about getting your Universal Credit paid straight to you.
4. Pay your rent by Direct Debit.
Paying your rent and bills by direct debit is the easiest way to pay because your bank automatically makes the payments for you. For more information see page 6.
Are you missing out on money?
Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?
To find out what benefits you are entitled to and how to claim visit:
Website:
www.gov.uk
www.entitledto.co.uk
Budgeting
Are you struggling to make your money stretch?
Running your home can be expensive and keeping track of your money and spending can be tricky.
Completing a budget planner can help you manage your money better. It will show you the money you have coming in and what money you have going out. You can use the income and expenditure sheet on page 19.
If you spend more then you have coming in, look more closely at where your money is going and where you can cut back.
If you are a council tenant and need help to budget contact your Housing Management Officer.
Call:
01325 388542
Priority bills & debts
Priority bills and debts are those that mean losing your home, having your gas or electricity cut off or even going to prison if you do not pay.
If you are struggling to pay all your bills and debts you should always make sure you pay your priority bills and debts first.
Priority bills and debts and what happens if you do not pay:
Rent and arrears – You could be evicted.
Council tax and arrears – You could have deductions from your wages or benefits, bailiffs could take your belongings and you could go to prison.
Maintenance or Child Support - You could have deductions from your wages or benefits or bank account, bailiffs could take your belongings and you could go to prison.
Gas and electricity and arrears – You could be cut off.
TV licence – Fine in magistrates’ court, bailiffs could take your belongings and you could go to prison.
Magistrates’ court fines – You could have deductions from your wages or benefits, bailiffs could take your belongings and you could go to prison.
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There are lots of places that provide free, confidential and independent advice.
They can help you come up with a strategy to deal with your debts and may also be able to deal with your creditors on your behalf.
For advice and information about how to deal with your debts contact:
My Money Steps
This a secure, confidential and free online self-help debt advice service.
Website: www.mymoneysteps.org
National Debtline
A free telephone debt advice service and information online.
Website: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Call:
0808 808 4000
Stepchange
A free telephone debt advice service and information online.
Website: www.stepchange.org
Call:
0800 138 1111
Paying your rent
Paying your rent is a priority. You could lose your home if you do not pay.
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Paying your rent by direct debit is the easiest way to pay because your bank automatically makes the payments for you. So you never have to worry about missing a rent payment.
You can download a direct debit or standing order form visit:
Website: www.darlington.gov.uk
You can pay by credit or debit card by phone:
Call:
01325 389898
If you have problems paying your rent you should contact your Housing Management Officer straight away. They can give you advice and help you make affordable payment arrangements.
Call:
01325 388542
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support
If you are on a low income Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent and Council Tax Support can help you pay your Council Tax. You can apply if you are working or not working.
You can download an application form visit:
Website: www.darlington.gov.uk
Basic bank accounts & Jam jar accounts
You can use a basic bank account to receive your money including Universal Credit and pay your rent and bills. There are many banks who offer this type of account.
Paying your rent and bills by direct debit is the easiest way to pay because your bank automatically makes the payments for you.
Darlington Credit Union offers a jam jar account where your money including Universal Credit is paid into.
You can divide your account into different ‘jam jars’ for example a jam jar
for spending and bills and a jam jar for saving.
To help you decide how much money goes into each jam jar, Darlington Credit Union can help you complete a budget planner so you know exactly how much you need for your rent and bills and how much is left over for spending or saving.
Darlington Credit Union will pay your rent and all your bills from your jam jar account so you never have to worry about missing a rent or bill payment.
For more information visit:
Website:
www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk
Savings & low cost loans
Darlington Credit Union can help you save and may be able to provide you with a low cost loan to help you with essential or emergency costs.
You may be able to get a Budgeting Loan, an interest free loan to help with essential living costs for those on certain income related benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
For more information visit:
Website:
www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk
www.gov.uk
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Loan sharks
Loan Sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates.
If you have borrowed money from a loan shark or to report a loan shark contact the England Illegal Money Lending Team.
Call:
0300 555 2222 the 24/7 confidential hotline
Text:
‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003
E-mail:
Save money on your energy bills, home phone and broadband
Are you getting the best gas and electricity tariffs and payment options for your needs? Are you getting the best home phone and broadband deal for your needs?
You could save money by changing your tariff or provider.
For more information visit:
Website:
www.uswitch.com
Call:
0800 051 5493
HE-AT offers all households in Darlington free, confidential advice on a range of fuel and energy related issues. They can help you find cheaper energy supplies by comparing all available tariffs.
Call:
01325 357345
E-mail:
Home contents Insurance
Would you be able to replace your belongings if your home was broken into, or if there is a fire or flood?
As a Council Tenant we can help you by offering a low cost scheme with Royal Sun Alliance plc.
You can download an application form visit:
Website: www.darlington.gov.uk
Forms are alsoavailable from the Contact Centre or your Housing Management Officer
Call:
01325 388542
Moving costs
Do you need help moving home? Are you downsizing because of the spare room subsidy?
You may be able to get help with removal costs from the Social Fund a discretionary scheme administered by Darlington Borough Council to provide:
· Crisis Support for people in immediate need, and
· Community Care Support to help people remain in the community or move back into the community after a period in supported or unsettled accommodation.
or with a Budgeting Loan administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
For more information visit:
Website:
www.darlington.gov.uk
www.gov.uk
Furniture
Are you a Council Tenant and do you need furniture for your new home?
Darlington Borough Council may be able to provide you with a White goods or Fully Furnished package.
The cost of this furniture will be added to your rent account.
White goods package:
· Electric cooker
· Washing Machine
· Fridge/freezer
Fully Furnished package:
· Beds, Wardrobes and chests of drawers enough for the people who live with you (bedding and headboards are not supplied)
· 3 piece suite and chair or a 2 seated sofa
· Kitchen table and chairs
· White goods (as above)
You may also be able to get help from the Social Fund administered by Darlington Borough Council or with a Budgeting Loan administered by the Department for Work and Pensions
For more information visit:
Website:
www.darlington.gov.uk
www.gov.uk
Furniture Reclamation and Delivery Enterprise (FRADE) sells pre-owned furniture to people on a low income.
Call:
01642 245927
King’s church Darlington sells pre-owned furniture to people on income based benefits.
Call:
01325 469884
Food banks
You may be able to get vouchers for a local food bank from the Social Fund administered by Darlington Borough Council.
For more information visit:
Website:
www.darlington.gov.uk
If you are in hardship or crisis and unable to feed yourself or your family, there are emergency food banks at the following locations:
· Grange Road Baptist Church which is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 am - 12 noon.
Call:
01325 360449
· The Kings Church Food Store, Whessoe Road which is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 1pm - 3pm.
· St Columbus Church, Clifton Road which is open Friday between 3 pm - 4 pm.
· St Mary’s Community Centre, Stooperdale Avenue which is open Thursday between 1 pm - 3 pm.
For more information contact:
King’s church Darlington
Call:
01325 469884
700 Club provides out of hours Emergency Food Parcels at St George’s Hall, Elmfield Street weekdays after 5pm and during the weekend so you do not go without food overnight.
Call:
01325 464385
North East Health Link Trust provides hot meals every Wednesday and Thursday at between 6 pm – 7pm from Brunswick Street Car Park.
Soup kitchen
There is a soup kitchen at:
Grange Road Baptist Church which is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 12 noon – 1:30 pm.
Call:
01325 360449
Useful contacts
Darlington Borough Council
For advice and information with paying your rent, home contents insurance, housing benefit and council tax support.
Website: www.darlington.gov.uk
Call Customer Services: 01325 388542
Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau
Free, impartial advice and information on subjects including benefits, debts, employment, housing and consumer issues.
Website: www.darlingtoncab.co.uk
Call: 01325 256999
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Darlington Credit Union
Offers jam jar accounts, savings and loans to anyone who lives or works in the Borough of Darlington. There is a small fee for jam jar accounts.
Website: www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk
E-mail:
Call: 01325 520005
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Entitled to
Online benefit calculator to check what benefits you might be able to claim.
Website: www.entitledto.co.uk
Furniture Reclamation and Delivery Enterprise (FRADE)
Sells pre-owned furniture to people on a low income.
Website: www.frade.co.uk
Call: 01642 245927
GOV.UK
For information on benefits you can get and how to claim.
Website: www.gov.uk
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Illegal Money Lending Team
If you have borrowed money from a loan shark or to report a loan shark.
Text: ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003
Call: 0300 555 2222 confidential hotline open 24 hours
7 days a week
Email:
King’s Church
Sells pre-owned furniture to people on income based benefits.
Website: www.kingschurchdarlington.org
Call: 01325 469884
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Money Advice Service
Provides free, impartial advice, tips and tools to help you manage your money better.