It is important to get help as early as possible if you are finding it hard to make ends meet. Our prevention and support team can help you to:
- understand which benefits you can claim
- apply for these benefits, including universal credit or housing benefit (if applicable)
- access budgeting and debt advice
- signpost to support services to help you with issues that might be impacting your housing situation
You can get help from the prevention and support team regardless of your living circumstances. However, if you are a Housing Association tenant, for example, your landlord is Clarion, Guinness, SNG, VIVID or another Housing Association, you must speak with them first to get help. Many have their own support teams who will be able to help you.
Below are some of the Housing Association’s websites offering advice in relation to the cost of living.
Receiving the benefits you are entitled to
To help you have as much income as possible you should make sure you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to.
Use the better off calculator Housing advice organisations and budgeting advice (basingstoke.gov.uk) to input your financial situation. The calculator will tell you how much benefit you are eligible for and show how changes in your household or financial circumstances can affect your income.
The calculator can also be used if your circumstances are due to change. Getting help before the change will give you time to apply for any benefits you are eligible for.
Contact the prevention and support team if you:
- want to discuss your change of circumstances
- need help to complete the calculator
- need help to understand what the calculation is showing you
Types of benefits you could apply for
- Universal Credit (UC)
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Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income, out of work or unable to work. The amount you get is based on your circumstances, for example, your household income, housing costs and any health condition or disability you may have.
Government website gives further information about Universal Credit and how you can apply.
Contact the prevention and support team if you need help to make an application.
- Child Benefit
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You get Child Benefit if you are responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 years old.
You can also claim Child Benefit if your child is under 20 years old, and they stay in approved education or training. When your child reaches the age of 16 it is important to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) they will be staying in approved education or training otherwise the Child Benefit will stop. Contact the prevention and support team if you need help with this.
Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child. There is no limit for the number of children you can claim for.
You must always inform HMRC of any changes to your circumstances.
- Health benefits – Limited Capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA)
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LCWRA benefit is claimed when making a claim for Universal Credit. Generally, you need to have been sick for at least 13 weeks and this needs to have been verified by a medical professional.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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Personal Independence Payment can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and you find it difficult doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
You can get PIP even if you are working, have savings or are receiving other benefits. Claiming this benefit will not affect any other benefits you may be claiming.
The Government website provides further information about PIP, how to claim and the contact details.
If you need help with making a claim, contact the prevention and support team.
- Council Tax Support
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You may be able to claim council tax support if you are on a low income or claim benefits. You can apply if you own your own home, privately rent or live in social housing.
You can make a claim by going to our Claiming Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax support webpage.
- Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
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If you live in the borough and you are in receipt of the housing element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, and the amount you receive is less than your rent, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
This is short term help, to give you time to make changes to your income and outgoings or look for cheaper suitable accommodation.
To find out more information about DHP’s visit our Discretionary Housing Payments webpage.
- Cost of Living Assistance Fund (COLAF)
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This is to help residents who are struggling financially, due to the rise of the cost of living.
To see if you can make a claim for financial assistance and to apply visit Cost of Living Assistance Fund webpage.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
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DLA for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
- is under 16
- has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
You can make a claim online or by phone. For further information about eligibility visit the GOV.UK website.
Benefits cap
The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.
To find out which benefits are included in the benefit cap and when you will not be affected by the cap visit the Government website.
Migration notices to move to Universal Credit
If you have received a migration notice, this is a letter telling you the benefits you receive are stopping soon and you must make a claim for Universal Credit.
The Government website provides further information about migration
If you need help to make a claim for Universal Credit contact the prevention and support team.
Other support available
Below are some services which are available to help with issues that might be impacting your living circumstances.
Some utility companies run their own schemes to help if you have a debt with your utility provider.
Use the better off calculator to input your financial situation. Once you have put in your financial circumstances, at the end of the calculation there is usually helpful advice directly related to utility debt.
Most banks or building societies have basic bank accounts available to everyone even if you have previous or current debts.
If you have a fixed address, information about opening a basic bank account can be found on Money Helper website.
Useful contacts
There are many organisations that may be able to offer advice and support with your circumstances and their contact details can be found on Housing advice organisations webpage.
If you are receiving housing benefit or council tax support further information about these benefits can be found on Benefits webpage.
Contact details
If you are struggling or facing hardship and need any help, email the Prevention and Support team prevention@basingstoke.gov.uk. If they are unable to help you they can signpost you to another organisation that may be able to help.