Money Advice for Homeless People

Just because you are homeless does not mean you don't continue to have financial responsibilities.

Listed here are details of organisations who will provide you with free and impartial  advice about:-

• state benefits
• housing benefit
• debt problems
• rent arrears etc

State benefits

If you claim or want to claim state benefits you should go to your local Department for Work and Pensions office previously called (social security office) or (benefits agency)

if you are not sure about what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you

Contact your local Money Advice Centre or your local  Citizens Advice Bureau 

Housing Benefit

Oddly enough when you are homeless housing benefit  can play a major part in helping you to improve your situation.

All social landlords and most private landlords accept housing benefit so it is important to get good advice about applying for housing benefit.

There are  rules and regulations that can help you. However they are complicated and not a lot of people know about them 

If you are not sure about what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you

Contact your local Money Advice Centre or your local  Citizens Advice Bureau 

Rent arrears

If you are on benefit and have  rent arrears you may be able to get backdated housing benefit to clear the arrears depending on your circumstances

If you are in arrears contact your housing provider as soon as possible it may be possible to come to some arrangement to help you pay off the arrears by instalments.

• Don't ignore letters.... it wont make the problem go away

If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.

Contact your local Money Advice Centre or your local  Citizens Advice Bureau 

Arrears direct

You may also be able to set up an arrangement to have any rent arrears deducted from your benefit and paid direct to your landlord

If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.

Contact your local Money Advice Centre or your local  Citizens Advice Bureau 

Debt problems

If you have debts with banks , catalogues , finance firms etc.  free advice is available from a variety of sources that will help you manage your problem without paying out large amounts in arrangement fees or taking other loans.

If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you. For further information contact your local Money Advice Centre or your local  Citizens Advice Bureau.