Citizens Advice have an online budgeting calculator on their website. You can see how much you are spending, earning and what could help you budget better.
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Money, benefits and discounts
Managing your money can be difficult. Making changes could mean that you have less money going out and more money coming in.
Information can be found about sticking to a budget, helping with debts, paying your rent and Council Tax on time, claiming benefits you're entitled to, and much more.
Wakefield Council has a number of resources to help if you are struggling, you can visit the page here. The Cost of Living Guide may also be a useful resource to help you manage your money and access support in other areas such as housing or household bills.
Managing your money
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) has set up the Cash Wise programme. This programme aims to help social housing tenants. It looks at how to make your money go further, opening a band account and what benefits or grants you could claim.
Money Helper is a free service that has been set up by the Government. It provides advice and guidance on:
- borrowing money,
- budgeting,
- savings,
- pensions,
- benefits.
The NHS Choices website provides information about managing financial stress and how to deal with the impact it could have on you.
Wakefield Recovery and Discovery colleges can help you to recognise your own skills, interests and talents. They offer a range of courses, workshops and resources for anyone who is over 18 or aged between 16 and 25.
Wakefield's Recovery and Discovery colleges have lots of opportunities that can help you to recognise your own skills, interests and talents. A range of courses, workshops and resources are available for anyone who is over 18 or aged between 16 and 25.
You can see whether they are any courses on money advice and budgeting on their website.
Help with debt
National Debtline is a free, confidential debt advice service. They have an interactive online advice service called My Money Steps.
You can also call them for advice on 0808 808 4000.
On Wakefield Council's website, you can find a free service called Money Smart.
Money Smart can help people manage their money better so they can make the most of their money.
Step Change is a debt charity. They provide confidential advice and solutions to debt problems.
Citizens Advice can provide free and independent advice about managing debt. You can contact them on 03444 111 444.
Benefits
You may be able to claim a discount on your council tax, apply for a grant or other benefits. There are online benefit calculators to help you work out what benefits you could claim.
You can find explanatory videos about benefits in British Sign Language (BSL) here. These videos have been created by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you receive care services from Wakefield Council, you can contact us if you have any questions on benefits. Contact Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503.
You could get Attendance Allowance if you:
- are state pension aged,
- physically or mentally disabled,
- need someone to help look after you.
You do not have to have someone caring for you to be able to claim.
You may be entitled to Personal Independent Payment (PIP) if you are under state pension age and have a disability or long term health condition.
Find out more information about this here.
You can find out more information about benefits through the below links:
- benefits entitlement
- council tax discounts for carers and for those with severe mental impairment
- disability-related council tax reduction
- apply for disability-related council tax discount
- death and bereavement benefits
- disability equipment and transport benefits
- benefits for disabled people
- benefits for students with disabilities
- heating and housing benefits
- low income benefits
- pensions and pensions credits
- tax credits
How to claim benefits
Age UK provides information on benefits such as a benefits guide and a benefits package. They also have an adviceline to offer support and advice to people, you can call the adviceline on 0800 678 1602.
Turn2us provides people with information on benefits. They also support people who face financial difficulties.
You can also find a free benefits calculator on their website here: Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
DIAL Wakefield provides information on benefits for disabled people. They also provide advice on the mandatory benefits reconsideration and appeals process.
What concessions and discounts are available?
The disabled facilities grant is for those who might need to make adaptations to your home. You can find out more information by visiting the Council's website here.
If you are blind or disabled, you may be eligible for a blind or disabled person's travel pass. You can find out about eligibility and how to apply on Metro's website. There's also information on Wakefield Council's website.
National Express offer a senior coachcard for over 60s and a disabled coachcard for those who are registered as disabled. The coachcard will entitle you to a 1/3 off your travel on most National Express services.
If you are a veteran, you can apply for a veteran card to show 4that you have serves in the UK Armed Forces. A veteran card can be used when you need to verify your veteran status.
You can apply for a veteran card here: Apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Other helpful schemes
BetterCare Wakefield can guide you through a financial assessment for care. It will calculate what you will have to pay towards your care costs. To use the benefits calculator on their website, you either create an account or continue as a guest.
WaterSure is a scheme which helps people with their water bills.
To apply for this scheme, you must be on benefits, need to use lots of water for medical reasons or because you have school-aged children in your household. You may also be on a water meter or waiting for one to be installed.
For more information and guidance on how to apply, visit: Yorkshire Water - Help paying your bill