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National advice organisations
Local advice organisations
Help with Council Tax
Help with utilities
Help with school uniform
Affordable lending
Loan sharks
Fraud
If you want to help yourself to maximise your income and manage your bills, all the national organisation have self-help material for you to work through a wide range of common issues. If debt is affecting your housing then contact housing advice.
If you feel that you need some additional support to work through your options, you can contact one of the organisations below.
Reading Borough Council has a Debt Advice Team who can help you to work out the best people to speak to about your situation. They also have resources to help you manage your money including the Debt Advice Handbook that is full of practical advice.
Self-help – when you are confident to help yourself:
Assisted self-help – when you need a little extra support:
Self-help – when you are confident to help yourself:
Assisted self-help – when you need a little extra support:
Specialist advice and support with benefits:
See what help is available if you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill.
If you are struggling to pay your gas, electric, water or broadband help is available to save money, switch suppliers, change tariffs or understand your meter and make your home more efficient:
If you are struggling with the cost of school uniforms, you might be able to get help from First Days who can provide everyday essentials to families who need them by distributing school uniforms, new baby essentials, travel items, toiletries, safety equipment, furniture, toys and books.
You might be able to find further support through the Reading Services Guide.
Offers accounts to get into the habit of saving whatever you can, and flexible, convenient and affordable loans.
Once you have signed up, you can take out a standard loan three months after joining. Alternatively, you can immediately apply for an affordable child benefit loan.
Berkshire Credit Union website
If you are receiving one of the following, you can apply for a Budgeting Loan:
You can apply for a loan for the following reason:
The loan is interest free and deductions will be made from your ongoing benefit award. Gov.uk – budgeting help.
If you are receiving Universal Credit, you can apply for a Budgeting Advance to help with emergency household costs if you:
The loan is interest free and deductions will be made from your ongoing benefit award. Gov.uk – Universal Credit
Universal Credit sanctions reduce the Standard Allowance element of your Universal Credit award, you still receive your other elements (like the Housing Costs Element) but you will receive less Universal Credit.
You can only get a hardship payment if you are:
You can apply for a Hardship Payment by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. It is a loan, so you will need to repay it when your sanction is removed. You will also need to reapply every month you need a hardship payment.
A money lender must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to lend money legally. An unauthorised lender does not have the legal right to recover the debt as it is illegal.
You can check if someone you have borrowed money from is registered on the Loan Smart website.
If anyone you have borrowed money from threatens you or is violent, contact the police straight away.
Contact the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222, you do not need to give them your details unless you feel comfortable. They provide specialist support, help and advice for victims of loan sharks. Stop Loan Sharks website
The amount of fraud and scams people have experienced has increased during the pandemic, with fraudsters taking advantage of the disruption.
Visit Take Five to Stop Fraud for information on the national campaign that offers straightforward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud.
If you are concerned about something or want some advice or support before you take action you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit Action Fraud.