Managing your Money

Check if you’re entitled to benefit support
Debt and Benefit Advice Services
Government Cost of Living Payments
Government Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Scheme
Warm Welcome Hubs Tameside
Are you eligible for income support?
Local Support Funds and Payments
Help for Older Residents
Are you entitled to grant support?
Other ways to manage your money- switching, money saving tips and other support
 

Check if you’re entitled to benefit support

 
If you’re struggling financially you might be entitled to an increase in benefit to support, it’s worth checking even if you’ve never claimed before.
 
Check your eligibility in 10-minutes here
 
For FAQ’s on benefits click here
 
Advice Tameside also provides information on universal credit, applying for Council Tax Support and free school meals.
 
 

Debt and Benefit Advice Services

 
Tameside Council’s Debt Advice Service offers free, independent, confidential advice and assistance with debt problems to people with rent or mortgage arrears. The Debt Advice Webpage  provides further information about this service.
☎ 0161 342 3494 between 8.30am-4pm Monday to Friday
 
Tameside Council’s Welfare Rights Service provides advice to Tameside residents on a range of benefit and tax credit entitlements. The team can also assist with challenging benefit decisions and with providing representation at social security appeal tribunals. The Welfare Rights at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council webpage provides further information about this service.
☎ 0800 074 9985 (9:30am-12.30pm, Monday & Wednesday)
Or Email: welfare@tameside.gov.uk
 
Citizens Advice also offer help on how to work out the best way to tackle your debt.
 
☎ Citizen’s Advice on Freephone 0808 278 7805 (9am 1pm, Monday to Friday).
🌐 Online chat function on www.tamesidecab.org.uk (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

Other Help

 
The National Debt Line allows you to talk to an adviser via web chat or by phone (visit their website for opening times).
 
StepChange are a charity who can help you with debt problems and take back control of your finances. 
 
PayPlan offer free advice and free debt management.
 
Money Saving Expert
 

Government Cost of Living Payments

 
If you get certain benefits or tax credits you may be eligible for this support payment. You do not need to apply and you will be paid automatically.

More information on Cost of Living Support Payments, Disability Cost of Living Support Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment   
 
 

Government Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Scheme

Find out more about government energy support schemes and the Energy Price Guarantee here www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/help-with-your-bills/
 
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding - £400 available for those who do not get the discount automatically, for details of the eligibility criteria and how to apply please visit
www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic
 
Alternative Fuels Payment Alternative Funding - £200 available for those who use alternative fuels for heating and do not get this payment automatically, for details of the eligibility criteria and how to apply please visit www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels
 
The Council are assisting the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to administer both schemes by completing final eligibility checks and if appropriate to process payments.
 
Please see privacy notice for Exchequer Services:    www.tameside.gov.uk/privacynotice/governance
 

You can also visit www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand/energyefficiency to be sing posted to information on other winter support payments, local support schemes and organisations who can help you with energy bills and help to make your home energy efficient.
 

Warm Welcome Hubs Tameside

 
Warm Welcome Hubs Tameside
 
Warm Welcome Hubs are free spaces across Tameside which can be enjoyed by all. Many give the chance for you to socialise with others and save money on energy bills.
 
Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand/warm-welcome-hub to find your local hub.
 
Find national Warm Welcome Spaces at www.warmwelcome.uk
 

Are you eligible for Income Support?

 
For information on:

• National Insurance
• Checking if you’re entitled to Universal Credit
• Claiming Marriage Allowance
• Extra money available for carers
• Help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)
• Child Trust Funds
• Help if you cannot pay your tax bill.

Local Support Funds and Support Payments

 
Household Support Fund
 
The Household Support fund helps low income households cover essential costs such as energy and water, food and other essentials linked to energy and water. Applications can also request sanitary products, warm clothing, blankets and essential household equipment.
 
Drop in support for applications are available, running weekly from Tameside One.
 
Find out more about drop in sessions, eligibility and online applications at www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund
 
Council Tax Support
 
The Council Tax Support Scheme provides financial assistance to Council Tax Charge payers on a low income whether they rent or own their home, or live rent-free, by reducing the amount of Council Tax they have to pay.
 
Find out more www.tameside.gov.uk/counciltax/supportscheme/
 
Discretionary Housing Payment
 
Discretionary Housing Payments may be awarded, in addition to housing benefit and universal credit housing element, where the council considers that you require further assistance towards your housing costs.
 
Find out more information and eligibility at www.tameside.gov.uk/Benefits/Discretionary-Housing-Payments
 

Help for Older Residents

 
Pension Top Up
 
In Tameside, £5.2 million worth of pension credit remains unclaimed, this is a staggering 3,042 household missing out on support.
 
Find out if you’re one of them at www.independentage.org/benefit-calculator or call 0800 319 6789
 
You can also visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim for more information on how to claim pension credit or how to report a change in circumstances. 
 
Citizens Advice for Pension Advice
 
You can also find help and support with your pension via Citizens Advice.
 
☎ Citizen’s Advice on 0808 278 7805  (9am 1pm, Monday to Friday).
🌐 Online chat function on www.tamesidecab.org.uk (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
 
 
For advice on types of pensions, starting a pensions and advice for nearing retirement please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/pensions/
Age UK
 
Age UK also provide support for any older person who is worried about money and/ or who may be entitled to claim benefits.
 
Contact Age UK by calling their national advice line free of charge on 0800 169 65 65 (8am-7pm), Contact your local Age UK for free information and advice.
 

Are you entitled to grant support?

 
For grants to support you with energy efficiency visit www.tameside.gov.uk/energysaving/grantsandfunding
 
 
Turn2Us offer FAQ’s on grant support on www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Grants-what-you-need-to-know
 
The Turn2Us grant support finder is available at https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/
 

Other ways to manage your money- switching, money saving tips and other support

 
Organisations who can provide advice on managing your money:
 
Christians against Poverty (CAP) www.capuk.org
Money Helper www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
 
Are you paying too much for your broadband, TV or phone?
 
Ofcom provide advice on cheaper social tariffs, switching or asking your provider if they match another provider’s price. 
 
Social tariffs for broadband and phones are available for those on low incomes and claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. They are the same normal packages but are just at a lower price.
 
Find more information on switching to a Social Tariff from on www.ofcom.org.uk/cheap-broadband
 
Find out if you’re paying too much out of contact or would be better off switching providers at www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/in-or-out
 
Saving Money by Switching Suppliers
 
The Big Switch can assist you by comparing energy suppliers and also other household bills such as insurance, broadband and digital TV and phone contracts.
 
Uswitch Quick Checker at www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity to get personalised insights about your supplier, plan, costs and usage.
 
The Uswitch cost of living support hub can give you advice on how to save on your broadband and mobile contracts.   

 
Support with Traveling Costs
 
To find out more about help with local transport travel cost please visit www.tameside.gov.uk/Education/Local-Offer-Transport-Students-16-19/Local-Offer-Help-With-Local-Transport-and-Travel-C
 
Ring and Ride door-to-door transport for people who find it very difficult or impossible to get to a bus stop or get on or off ordinary buses.
 
If you are disabled, you could be eligible for a pass that gives you free and low-cost travel in Greater Manchester and the rest of England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Find out more at tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/passes-for-disabled-people
 
For more information on how to get about Tameside by public transport, information on travel passes, travel information for older and disabled persons and other useful organisations please click visit www.tameside.gov.uk/carers/travelling
  
 
Save Money by Becoming Energy Efficient
 
There’s lots of little changes you can make to save money on Energy.
 
Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand/energyefficiency for more advice and support on becoming more energy efficient.  
 
Money and energy saving slow cooker recipes, shopping Lists and top tips can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/slowcookerproject
 
Visit Think Green Tameside for energy saving tips and support for you, your business or organisation.
 
 For help and support with gambling problems please contact:
 
GamCare
 
Gamblers Anonymous