Our aim is to support people through their crisis and to help them resolve their financial issues on a long-term basis, either through getting the benefits that they need or by dealing with the debts and helping to find the best solutions, whether that be insolvency or debt management plans, negotiating time to pay through their crisis.
We work with individuals to help decide the best options for solving their debt issues. We are there to help, support and advise as to what seems the best way forward to help them sort out personal debt problems.
At the drop-in sessions that Money Matters holds in the different foodbank distribution centres we can provide a wide range of help with all kinds of financial matters. We can:
- carry out benefit checks to maximise income.
- assist people to make phone calls to the DWP to find out what is happening with a claim, to make a new claim for benefit or to notify them of changes of circumstances
- assist people to make online claims for benefits if they don’t have access to the internet, or need support with this
- complete online claims for benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Discretionary Housing Payments
- support with basic energy advice and make calls to the supplier where needed
- help to draw up a budget and discuss ways to maximise income and minimise expenses
- provide debt advice that is free, impartial, confidential and based on the individual’s circumstances.
- signpost people to other services for further help
To make a referral on behalf of yourself or someone else, see REFERRALS