Hardship Advice and Support for Residents

National website tips and tools

Cost of Living Support explains one-off payments and existing benefits/schemes. Money Navigator Tool provides money/debt guidance and can help you find local support. Turn2Us benefits calculator can check what benefits you can get. You may be able to apply for Universal Credit payments to help with your living costs if you are on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

Local money advice and support

The Worrying About Money? leaflet explains what local money advice/support is available:

• Advice @ Hart is a local Community Interest Company which specialises in benefits advice, benefit appeals and mandatory reconsiderations.  You can find out more at Benefits Advice | Advice At Hart | England (advice-at-hart.co.uk) or by calling 01429 748010. 
• Age UK Teesside specialise in support for the over 50s, this include money and benefit advice as well as general entitlements advice.  You can find out more at Age UK Teesside | Our Services  or by contacting angela.brough@ageukteesside.org.uk to set up an appointment. 
• Citizens Advice Hartlepool offer a range of advice and support services including benefits, debt, housing, employment and energy.  You can find out more at Services (citizensadvicehartlepool.org.uk) or by calling 0808 278 7967 or pop in to their office in Park Road.   
• West View Advice and Resource Centre is a charity offering help with issues such as benefits, debt, housing, employment and energy.  You can find out more at Home - WVARC (wvarc30.org.uk) or by calling 271294 for to set up an appointment.

These advice services are also available at the Big Advice Drop-in on 30th April (Headland Baptist Church 10-3pm). The Big Advice Drop In includes a Food Network cookery demonstration (12-2pm), food sampling and 30 ingredients bags.

You may be able to reduce your Council Tax bill by applying for Council Tax Support or a reduction on the Council Tax webpage. You can also pay council Tax any time of day online or using the automated payment line 0300 1230703. Please talk to us about difficulties paying your Council Tax bill by calling (01429) 284166 or emailing recovery@hartlepool.gov.uk We may be able to agree an alternative payment plan or let you know about benefits or debt advice.

A Discretionary Housing Payment may be available to people entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and who, in the opinion of the council, requires some short-term further financial assistance to help with their housing costs or to move to more affordable accommodation.

Welfare Support is a limited discretionary fund. It aims to ensure financially vulnerable residents are getting all the help they are entitled to and support to vulnerable people settling back into the community.

You can click on the links to the left to get information about help with food, energy, housing or other costs