We know that for some of our residents and local businesses, this is not an easy time at the moment. So we’ve gathered together some useful information from local, county and national sources to give you some extra support and advice that may help.
The Citizens Advice Bureau (external website**) provides advice and information on benefits, employment, debt, tax, legal rights and lots more.
Find your local High Peak Citizens Advice Bureau centre here.
There are benefits available to help you pay towards your housing costs and council tax.
, which has been produced by the National Homelessness Advice Service (external website**).
If you are facing redundancy, or have recently been made redundant, there is additional support here.
The Single Parent Action Network (SPAN) is providing a 1-2-1 benefits, money and debt advice service to help one parent families on low income avoid debt and financial crisis.
High Peak CVS are asking front-line staff (in both public and vol sector) if they will signpost single parents to the One Space site and help them to avoid the debt that is very often triggered by Christmas.
SPAN’s social networking site for single parents, www.onespace.org.uk (external website**), has recently launched a new online ‘Money Survival Kit’ to give immediate help to single parents facing financial crisis. SPAN is encouraging front-line staff in children’s centres, community groups, housing associations and faith groups to support single parents in accessing the site. It also contains useful information for front-line staff on finance and debt issues.
The One Space ‘Money Survival Kit’ provides a range of money saving solutions which single parents can access at a time and place which is convenient for them. The online resources include 1-2-1 finance and debt advice via email as well as solution-based case studies that reflect real life experiences.
Debt at this time of year can spiral out of control, especially through door stop lenders and high bank charges. This can have a knock-on effect, leading to not paying the rent or council tax - building up arrears and then potentially facing the bailiffs. Another significant trigger point for debt is separation and divorce. There is so much to deal with – applying for benefits/tax credits; maintenance issues/mortgage and housing issues. The officialdom and complexity of it all means that problems can build up making it harder to address, especially when there is also the emotional pressure and depression.
For more information on real life practical help for those facing financial problems visit www.onespace.org.uk (external website**) and click on ‘Money Survival Kit’. Alternatively you can contact SPAN at:
SPAN, Millpond, Baptist Street, Easton, Bristol BS5 0YW
Telephone: 0117 951 4231
Email: info@spanuk.org.uk
The Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.
For more information visit www.debtadvicefoundation.org (external website**) or call 0800 043 40 50.
The IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) is a government debt solution which offers a way out for people struggling with debts. An IVA can be used to write off debts (up to 75%) and if you are a homeowner, your home could still be protected. The IVA application process is anonymous and no credit checks are carried out. IVA.Net have been helping people in debt for over 75 years.
For more information visit http://www.iva.net/ (external website**) or call 0800 043 3329 for free and impartial debt advice.
Debt Options offer free, nationwide, impartial and confidential advice for people with serious debt problems.
ClearDebt (external website**) is a free government approved debt advice service, to help the hundreds of thousands of people in England & Wales who are deeply in debt. Some don't realise the seriousness of their situation, some think there is nothing they can do about it. Many are frightened of losing their home and livelihood.The ClearDebt site is full of resources to help you understand your situation, cut your household costs and plan a route out of debt.
The Gold Card scheme entitles cardholders – that’s everyone over 60 and eligible disabled people living in Derbyshire – to:
We have compiled some advice and resources here to help you beat the credit crunch.
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has produced the Survive and Thrive newsletter to help you put your business in the best possible shape to ride out the current economic storm.
It is working in partnership with other organisations, including Business Link, to give you clear solutions that meet the widest range of business needs, and quick access to accurate well-informed advice and support to keep you up to date with the latest information and initiatives available to business in the East Midlands, so you can deal with the challenges ahead.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.
