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Money advice

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Supporting you with your money

Managing money can be challenging. Advice and support is available to help you take control of your finances.

You’ll find information on:

  • budgeting and managing everyday costs
  • dealing with debt and accessing specialist advice
  • support available in a crisis
  • benefits and financial help you may be entitled to

Financial advice

Citizen’s Advice provides a wide variety of help and advice including on managing your money, debt support, and accessing benefits. They can help give you the information you need to make the right choices including how to get your finances back into shape.

Cambridge Money Advice Centre aims to provide a practical Christian response to the growing problem of debt in Cambridgeshire. Free, expert advice from fully trained advisers, in person or online.

Money and Pensions Service offers free, impartial money and pensions guidance.

Paying for care

Paying for care can be expensive. If you need to pay for care, we strongly recommend that you get advice from an independent financial advisor before making any decisions. More information can be found at Paying for care.

There may come a time when you are unable to tell others what care and treatment you want. Planning ahead lets you record your wishes so they can be understood and followed where possible. Find out more at Mental capacity and planning for the future.

Budgeting support

Money Helper Budget Planner is a free online tool to help you keep track of your money and suggests ways to improve your finances.

Government Help to Save is a government-backed saving scheme for low-income earners receiving Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit.

Money management skills

There are various ways to support you manage your money.

Money coaching - Christians Against Poverty is a free service designed to empower you with knowledge, budgeting skills and confidence to better manage your finances.

Cambridge Regional College offers low cost online money management courses.

You can also find support with money management skills through Cambridgeshire Skills.

Crisis support

Crisis can happen to anyone. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, support is available. If you are supported by a keyworker speak to them about what extra help may be available.

Find out about support available

Debt support

If you are struggling with debt there are solutions available. A debt management plan (DMP) may be right for you.

Key steps include:

  • identifying priority debts
  • creating a budget
  • choosing a trusted provider

More information on this and other debt solutions can be accessed at Debt and money - Citizens Advice.

Other debt support organisations:

Mental health and debt

Mental health can make managing debt harder. Breathing space (GOV.UK website) is a free Government scheme for those struggling with debt. It offers support to anyone with debt problems and extra support to those receiving mental health crisis treatment. It aims to relieve some of the pressure of dealing with creditors. If you pass eligibility checks, your creditors won’t be able to add interest or fees to your debts or take enforcement action for 60 days (or the duration of your mental health crisis treatment plus 30 days).

Benefits and financial support

You may be entitled to financial support depending on your situation.

Please note: Cambridgeshire County Council does not administer benefits. You will need to apply for benefits at GOV.UK website. Apply through your district or city councils for housing benefit.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit helps people over the state pension age with low incomes with their living costs. It also allows you to claim other benefits. There are details on our Pension Credit page to support you.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be eligible if you are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK can provide more information.

For support applying: Get help with your Universal Credit claim - GOV.UK

Benefits calculator

Eligibility for benefits entitlements can be checked here:

Long term illness

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) supports people aged 16 and over with long-term health conditions. For more information, go to: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

Carer’s Allowance

You may be eligible for Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

Welfare Benefits team

We can provide support and assistance with claiming disability benefits and other connected benefits. There is also a home visiting service aimed at people who are unable to access front line advice or live in rural areas of Cambridgeshire. Visit Benefits for adults and older people for more information.

Email: welfare.benefits@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Telephone: 01353 612 926

Address: Amundsen House, Compass Point Business Park, Stocks Bridge Way, St Ives, PE27 5JL

Disability Huntingdonshire provides information, advice and support to people living with a disability in Fenland, Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire.

Financial assessment for Adult Social Care provides information on how we calculate your care and support.