advice
we're here to help you
First things first
Closing your eyes to debt or money worries does not make it go away.
Sometimes when you have debt building up or you don’t know how you will manage with the money you have it’s easy to become weighed down with worry. Beginning to manage this situation is not the easiest thing to do, so it’s always best to turn to someone for advice. Talking really does help and if you are having financial difficulties, you should let your housing provider or lender know as soon as possible.
Remember no matter how bad things can sometimes look, help is always available for you.
If you have genuine reasons for not being able to pay your rent or mortgage, your housing provider or lender can usually reach an agreement with you.
They may be able to arrange for you to pay off your arrears (missed payments) gradually, or offer some advice on benefits you might be entitled to.
We’re here to help
The sooner you act the quicker you can start to ease your worry.
Landlords and housing staff are often trained to give advice on Housing Benefit, or maybe able to put you in contact with people who can advise you on other benefits you may be entitled to. Details of your local Housing Benefit Offices can be found in the benefits section of this website.
Your housing provider
Your housing provider is a direct link between you and your landlord. They are responsible for providing support and information to help you.
Most landlords can provide guidance and support
on learning opportunities and developing your skills. Social landlords work to improve residents’ budgeting and money managing abilities.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau has the benefit of over 70 years of helping people and giving advice on a wide range of matters. Citizens Advice Bureau helps resolve legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. With 426 centres in England and Wales, support is always nearby. To find your local Citizens Advice Bureau, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk and enter your post code.
Independent Living
Supporting People - helping you manage
There are many different ways an Independent Living Team can help you. They can help with setting up and managing your home - including organising your bills.
They can advise and help in managing your finances, making benefit claims and getting you back into work. An Independent Living Team can put you in touch with other services to help you maintain your independence.
For details of this service in your area contact Kent County Council on 08458 247247 or visit www.kent.gov.uk
Gateway offers convenient ways to help you find the public and voluntary services you need, right on the high-street.
Customer Service Advisors are ready to assist you in comfortable and modern settings with a wide range of enquiries.
Services include:
- Free internet access and payment kiosks
- Routine advice and activities - bus passes, refuse, parking, blue badges, and licensing
- Daily surgeries by organisations such as Hi Kent, Connexions, and Community Health
- Registrars for births and deaths
- Council tax, benefits, planning, housing, social care, library, and adult education
- Now open in Ashford, Thanet, Tunbridge Wells, Tenterden, Maidstone, Tonbridge and Dover. Two Mobile Gateway units are available to take services out into the heart of rural and urban communities across Kent
To find your local Gateway call 08458 247202.
