Help with money and bills
View organisations that may help with support or advice with money and bills
If you're still struggling with energy bills
You may be able to:
- get reductions or support from your energy provider
- add yourself to the Priority Services Register if you are considered a vulnerable person
It is important that you contact your utility provider as soon as possible.
Household Support Fund
Funding has been made available by the government’s Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) to support vulnerable Blackpool residents who are struggling with rising living costs.
The Household Support Fund is a national scheme which will run until 31 March 2024 (subject to funding availability) to provide support to vulnerable households in most need of help with significantly rising living costs.
In Blackpool the Household Support Fund can help by providing short term financial support to meet immediate needs and help residents who are struggling to meet household energy costs. If eligible payment will be made to your energy provider:
- £200 will be made to qualifying households of one or two people (including children) and
- £300 to qualifying households of three or more people (including children).
Benefits checker
Our benefits calculator will help you find out what benefits you can claim. The calculator is free to use, and the details you provide are anonymous.
Before you start, make sure you have information about your savings, income, pensions and existing benefits (for you and your partner). If you run out of time, you can save your calculation and come back to it later, and pick up right where you left off. Should take 10 minutes to complete.
If you need some help checking you can also ask our Benefits team to contact you.
Other help
Help with debt
Citizens Advice
Blackpool Citizens Advice
Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
For an appointment
01253 308405 Monday - Saturday
advice@blackpoolcab.org.uk
Face to face advice is also available in some GP surgeries
Debt advice guide full of useful and helpful advice on dealing with debt.
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper provide free and impartial help with money, backed by the government. This includes information and guidance about benefits, budgeting, pensions and debt, along with a range of other support.
National debt line
The helpline provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems
0800 808 4000
National debt line
Payday debt help - StepChange debt charity
StepChange Debt Charity, the UK’s leading debt advice charity. For free debt help, budgeting advice and help with payday loans. They provide free, anonymous, professional advice through their online debt advice service.
Childcare Choices
Childcare choices is a website provided by the government that can help you find the support that is available to help with the cost of childcare. This includes information about the different options available and how to apply.
You can take a look at the different help available at Childcare Choices.
Cost of living helpline
If you've contacted your provider and are still struggling to pay your household bills or top up your pre-payment meter, you can contact our cost of living helpline.
0808 175 3379 open Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm
Our partners will discuss the options available to you including our local support schemes and can help you apply for grants from third-party organisations. We may also be able to help with other essential bills.
Discretionary support scheme
The Blackpool discretionary support scheme can provide assistance to vulnerable people who need:
- Short term emergency support
- Help to become established or maintain independence in the community
The type of help available may include:
- Referral to a food bank for a food parcel
- Referral to a local children’s centre
- Arrangement to top up emergency supply of gas or electric
- Non-refundable travel warrant for emergency travel
- Referral to another agency
The scheme does not provide cash.
If you've been approached by a loan shark or if you've borrowed money from one then there are people who can help and keep you safe. Stop Loan Sharks have specially trained staff who'll be able to provide you with emotional and practical support.