Debt and budgeting
The organisations below offer free, impartial advice on debt and budgeting:
Breathing space is a new government scheme which is designed to give you time to receive debt advice and find a solution to sort out your debt problems. Eligibility criteria apply.
Always make sure you are claiming any benefits you may be entitled to.
Gambling and debt
Gamcare offers support and advice to those affected by gambling, including specific advice regarding money management.
Economic abuse
Economic abuse often occurs alongside other forms of abuse. Surviving Economic Abuse has information and advice as well as a Financial Support Line for victims of domestic abuse.
See our keeping warm in wintersection for more advice, energy saving tips and details of financial assistance that may be available.
Eligibility for free school meals depends on the circumstances of the parents or carers.
Find out more from:
Hampshire County Council
Portsmouth City Council
Southampton City Council
If you are having problems paying your rent or are worried about mortgage or council tax payments:
Keeping your home warm in winter.
If you claim benefits, you may be able to claim discounts or grants to help heat your home. More about keeping warm in winter.
If you are on benefits and struggling to pay your monthly broadband costs, contact your provider to see if you are eligible to move to a social tariff.
Social tariffs are low-cost broadband deals offered to customers on benefits and cost about £15 per month.
Broadband providers are not obliged to offer social tariffs, but have been encouraged to do so by the government and Ofcom.
All those receiving Universal Credit are eligible, although some providers extend eligibility to those in receipt of other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.
The Department for Work and Pensions provides grants and short-term advances for people who already claim benefits, such as:
You can check you are receiving the right benefits:
Use the internet to search for reuse organisations that may sell secondhand furniture and appliances.
Here are some websites or organisations you could try:
Gumtree - for secondhand furniture and appliances for sale.
Emmaus Hampshire is a social enterprise which helps people out of homelessness.
The Community Furniture Project in Basingstoke sells a wide range of used furniture.
The Furniture Helpline in Alton provides affordable household goods, household furniture and white-goods at very low prices to those with a need.
Jacob's Well Care Centre aims to provide furniture to those in need in the Gosport area.
Search the Community Directory to find organisations that can help with furniture.
Charity shops, such as the British Heart Foundation,are also a good place to start if you want to buy secondhand goods for the home at affordable prices.
Some household waste recycling centres have sections where you can buy secondhand furniture.