Money

Money, benefits and getting help

In this section, you can find information about where to get help with money.  It includes information on claiming Benefits you may be entitled to, where to get help with managing debts, where to get help and advice with heating your home, help with food and local organisations who can help you.

Local and national links which can offer advice and support are shown below.  Many of these will show how you can get in touch if you need to talk to someone.

Remember that you can also call into one of the Community Lounges or Family Hubs who will try to help you or put you in touch with the right organisation.  You can find these by clicking on the links below:

Community Lounges Community Lounge (stoke.gov.uk)

Family Hubs Family Hubs | Family Hubs | Stoke-on-Trent

Local organisations in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire

For help with money and debt:

Citizens Advice, Stoke-on-Trent offers a range of support and advice around money, including benefits and managing debt.  Click here for information: Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent - Citizens Advice

Money Matters, Stoke-on-Trent, offers support and advice around debt relief and benefits.  Click here: Money Matters Stoke-on-Trent - Community Money Advice Money | Money | Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent City Council website offers a range of advice and support regarding finances.  Click the link to find information about the council’s campaign to support Stoke-on-Trent residents in response to the cost of living crisis  Access cost of living support you’re entitled to | Supporting our city | Stoke-on-Trent

For help with food/essentials, contact:

For advice and information on energy/fuel costs, you can contact:

Information on a wide range of services and organisations that are available to offer support is available on the Voluntary Action Stoke-on-Trent (VAST) website. Click the link here to access the Community Directory of services: Stoke-on-Trent Community Directory

Links to national websites

Find comprehensive information about benefits, who is entitled and how to claim: Gov.uk Benefits Portal 

Free impartial money advice including benefits can be found here on HM Government Money Helper website.  Click here to access: Money Helper 

Detailed information from the Child Poverty Action Group ASK CPAG 

Advice and information around benefits from Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice

Advice and information from Citizens Advice if you are struggling to manage.  Click here: Help if you are on a low income 

Help for those in work but on a low income from Turn2us: In work - on a low income 

Tools

Households with low income are more at risk from stress and anxiety as well as poor nutrition, health and housing. Problems can include things like debt, interruptions or overpaying for internet access or other utilities, insufficient food and warmth to maintain health, especially for young or old family members and risky or insecure housing. Low income families are also less able to recover easily from problems they experience.

When a family has problems with benefits it is worth identifying the root cause - lack of money. Boosting cash coming into the family (by increasing the numbers of family members in paid work, for example) or reducing outflow of funds through addressing issues around debt, gambling, substance misuse etc. can provide similar help to resolving issues with benefits.

Affordability calculator, better off calculator, adviser access and more: Entitled To independent Benefits information 

Independent benefits information - searches benefits and grants: Turn to us 

Universal Credit toolkit provided by HM Government.  Click here: Universal Credit Partner Toolkit 

Information for professionals