Money advice for homeless people

There are organisations who will provide you with free and impartial advice about:

• state benefits
• housing benefit
• debt problems
• rent arrears

State benefits

If you claim or want to claim state benefits you should go to your local Department for Work and Pensions office previously called (social security office) or (benefits agency).

If you are not sure about what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you, contact your local housing office or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Housing benefit

Oddly enough when you are homeless housing benefit can play a major part in helping you to improve your situation.

All social landlords and most private landlords accept housing benefit so it is important to get good advice about applying for housing benefit.

There are rules and regulations that can help you. However they are complicated and not a lot of people know about them.

If you are not sure about what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.

Rent arrears

If you are on benefit and have rent arrears you may be able to get backdated housing benefit to clear the arrears depending on your circumstances.

If you are in arrears contact your housing provider as soon as possible it may be possible to come to some arrangement to help you pay off the arrears by instalments.

Please don't ignore letters. The problem won't go away.

If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.

Arrears direct

You may also be able to set up an arrangement to have any rent arrears deducted from your benefit and paid direct to your landlord. If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.

Debt problems

If you have debts with banks, catalogues , or finance firms, free advice is available from a variety of sources that will help you manage your problem. The aim of this advice is to deal with your debt without paying out large amounts in arrangement fees or taking other loans.

If you are not sure what to do a welfare rights advisor will be able to assist you.