Welfare Benefits

Our Money Advice Team can help you with debt and benefits queries

GOT PROBLEMS PAYING?

piggy bank

You need to move FAST! If you don’t tell us, or if you don’t keep to an agreement to pay off arrears, we will contact you to clear the debt as soon as possible.

If repayment agreements are not made or not kept to, we will be forced to take formal legal action against you, which could ultimately end up with you losing your home. Don't risk the roof over your head.

CONTACT THE MONEY ADVICE TEAM WITH ANY QUERIES on 0300 100 1012, or use our online form.

Westcountry can help you with Housing Benefit verification, just call and ask how.  Last year our Money Advice Team secured around £10,000 in Housing Benefit for our residents. 

If you receive Housing Support, please ask your support worker for benefits help.

We can:

  • give advice on and help you to claim Housing Benefit (for residents in Plymouth and Torbay we can also receive and verify claims and associated documents);
  • give advice on and help you to claim Discretionary Housing Benefit payments; 
  • give advice on and help you to claim other welfare benefits;
  • give advice on how to manage debts and budgeting.  Alternatively, you can visit the website of National Debtline or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (see below); 
  • negotiate an agreement to repay your rent in instalments

And direct you towards independent advice agencies:

Consumer Credit Councilling Service

The debt help charity, Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), provides free debt advice and debt solutions. They will assess your situation and recommend the best solution for you, whether a debt management plan, IVA, debt relief order or bankruptcy. You can use their CCCS Debt Remedy online tool to receive personalised budgets and debt advice tailored to your specific needs.  www.cccs.co.uk Tel: 0800 138 1111

Money Made Clear (this is an excellent site for general help)

Citizens Advice Bureau                    

Community Legal Service Direct

www.entitledto.co.uk/ 

Money Advice Trust   

Devon credit unions 

Cornwall credit unions 

Stop loan sharks                            

Energy saving trust                             

Switch energy suppliers            

Anode furniture recycling                   

Furniture recycling network

You can learn a lot from Quids In money magazine financial advice magazine which we mail in Coast to Coast, our residents' newsletter.