Your money

We’re here to support you. You can read our information about benefits, budgeting, funding available and how Rent Assist can support you with your rent.

Tenant Support Fund

We offer a Tenant Support Fund to help tenants who are experiencing extreme hardship. Find out more here.

Disability Rights UK full benefits check

We’ve partnered with Disability Rights UK to help you check you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to.

Find out more about this service.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a pot of money held by local councils to help people struggling to pay their rent.

Find out how Habinteg’s Rent Assist Team can help you access DHP.

There are a number of benefits calculators available online to help you find out if you’re eligible for government benefits, grants and other financial support.

Visit:

• MoneySavingExpert
• Turn2us
• Entitledto
• Money Helper.

Whichever calculator you use, you’ll need to enter details about your savings, income, pension, childcare costs, and any benefits you already receive.

If you're eligible for government benefits, Citizens Advice can help you with the application process.

Go to the Citizens Advice website or call 0800 144 8 444 to get free help to claim.

If you're worried about the rising cost of living, speak to an advisor for free at Mental Health and Money Advice.

Mental Health and Money Advice offers free, straightforward and personal advice to help you manage your money. 

They have budgeting tools, people who’ll help you claim any benefits you're entitled to and top tips for managing your money to make it last. 

For help with your debt, you can call one of the following organisations free of charge:

MoneyHelper: 0800 138 7777

National Debtline: 0808 808 4000

PayPlan: 0800 280 2816

Friends of the Elderly 

If you're an older person on a low income, you have less than £4000 in savings and you're in receipt of state benefits or a pension, the charity Friends of the Elderly has grants to support you. 

You'll need a referral from someone like a doctor or a social worker to support your grant application.

Visit Friends of the Elderly for more information and to start your application.

Alternatively, call them on 0330 332 1110.

St Andrew's Society for Ladies in Need

You can apply for a grant worth up to £500 from St Andrew's Society for Ladies in Need if you are a British-born woman who:

• Is retired or close to retirement age
• Is unable to work because of disability/illness
• Achieved a good standard of education
• Receives benefits 
• Has very limited savings.

For more information on how to apply, please write to their email: mpope1@btinternet.com.

Hardship payments are for people with benefits sanctions (when your benefits reduce or stop).

In some cases, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) can give you hardship payments.

Hardship payments are loans and they have to be paid back. They are interest free.

You must have exhausted other options, like asking friends and family, before contacting the DWP.

Contact the universal credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Tell the adviser if you're in rent arrears or struggling to feed your children.

Have bank statements ready and make sure you know how much you spend on things like food, gas and electricity.

You normally get a same day decision and you can be paid on the same day.