With interest rates soaring, many mortgage holders coming to the end of a fixed rate deal will see a bigger slice of their take-home pay being ringfenced for their mortgage repayments.
If you’re a homeowner, not receiving benefits and struggling to pay your monthly mortgage, the priority is to contact your lender.
If you’re struggling to pay for food and other daily essentials, you may be able to get help in a number of ways.
Household Support Fund
Update Dec 2024
We have now received details of the next phase of the Household Support Fund. Please note that the allocation for Surrey Heath has been significantly reduced,
If you are struggling financially and would like help to manage your debts or to understand any benefits or financial support that you may be entitled to, we can help. Call us on 01276 417900 for an initial telephone appointment and, if necessary, we can arrange face to face appointments across Surrey Heath at the following venues:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that people claiming Universal Credit (UC) will begin to see a return of job-seeking requirements which were suspended. Work coaches will be calling all claimants to help them prepare for work, although what people will need to do will depend on their “Claimant Commitment.” This is a document people need to agree to as part of getting UC.
Assessing the impact of Universal Credit in Surrey Heath, 18 months after its introduction.
Whatever your income or savings, you may qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you find it hard to do everyday tasks or to get around because of a disability, illness or mental health condition.
Who is entitled to PIP?
You need to be between 16 and pension age to receive PIP,
If you’re struggling to afford your gas and electricity, don’t ignore those bills!
What can you do?
The first step is to contact your supplier to discuss ways to pay what you owe them. Your supplier has to help you come to a solution that works for both of you.
The Department for Work and Pensions is funding Citizens Advice to provide independent advice and digital support with making a Universal Credit application – the ‘Help to Claim’ scheme.
This includes:
A recent analysis by the DWP found that millions of people are failing to claim benefits they are entitled to, leaving nearly £13 billion pounds a year unclaimed. Could this include you?
The poor take-up rate could be influenced by the stigma many people feel about taking welfare benefits.
