My money does not stretch far enough

Reasons

  • Deciding between food and fuel
  • Low income or zero-hours contract
  • Not sure if eligible to claim for benefit
  • Change of circumstances (eg. bereavement, illness, new baby, reduction in benefit)
  • Unsure how to manage my money/overspending

Options

Advice and support to manage the money you have more effectively.

Who can help?

Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice for all. Offering specialist services in benefits, community care, debt, energy, housing and money advice.

  1 Victoria Plaza, Oxford Street, Bolton BL1 1RD
  Drop in Thursday 10am - 3pm
  0808 278 7804 (freephone adviceline) Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm
  0800 144 8444 (universal credit support) Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm

Bolton's Money Skills
Provides one to one support to help people get their finances under control. Help on issues including high energy costs, budgeting guidance, dealing with debts and a switching services to save money on utility bills.

  Ground Floor, Bolton Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RU
  01204 332916 (money/debt advice)
  01204 331968 (money skills training)

Age UK Bolton
Advice to over 50's on all benefits issues including form filling, challenges and appeals, housing options,community and social care and a range of other issues.

  The Square, 53-55 Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RZ
  Drop in Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm
  01204 382411 Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

A benefit check can ensure you are receiving all of the benefits that you are entitled to. In addition to DWP benefits you may also be entitled to benefits or discretionary payments from Bolton Council, For more information see Local Welfare Provision - help in a crisis or emergency. If you're pregnant or have child under four years old you can also ask the advisor about healthy start vouchers. See get help to buy food and milk (the healthy start scheme).

Who can help?

Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice for all. Offering specialist services in benefits, community care, debt, energy, housing and money advice.

  1 Victoria Plaza, Oxford Street, Bolton BL1 1RD
  Drop in Thursday 10am - 3pm
  0808 278 7804 (freephone adviceline) Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm
  0800 144 8444 (universal credit support) Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm

Farnworth Baptist Church
Provides money advice including benefit checks, support with benefit applications through to appeals (Jerimiah Welfare Advice), and a debt advice service (Community Debt Advice). Also offers a range of wider assistance such as help finding a job, ESOL conversation classes and wellbeing support. Supports anyone regardless of their faith.

  The Well, Trafford Street, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7PQ
  Drop in (welfare advice) Tuesday and Friday 10am - 12noon
  01204 951001 (welfare advice)
  07539 781775 (debt advice)

Age UK Bolton
Advice to over 50's on all benefits issues including form filling, challenges and appeals, housing options,community and social care and a range of other issues.

  The Square, 53-55 Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RZ
  Drop in Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm
  01204 382411 Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

The process of applying for benefits can sometimes be complicated, for example due to lengthy application forms and requirements to find and include additional documents. If you need assistance to complete an application, the following organisations may be able to help you with this.

Who can help?

Farnworth Baptist Church
Provides money advice including benefit checks, support with benefit applications through to appeals (Jerimiah Welfare Advice), and a debt advice service (Community Debt Advice). Also offers a range of wider assistance such as help finding a job, ESOL conversation classes and wellbeing support. Supports anyone regardless of their faith.

  The Well, Trafford Street, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7PQ
  Drop in (welfare advice) Tuesday and Friday 10am - 12noon
  01204 951001 (welfare advice)
  07539 781775 (debt advice)

Age UK Bolton
Advice to over 50's on all benefits issues including form filling, challenges and appeals, housing options,community and social care and a range of other issues.

  The Square, 53-55 Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RZ
  Drop in Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm
  01204 382411 Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

Housing Benefits Visiting Team
Provide home visits for people unable to visit a council office due to age or personal circumstances (such as disability). Will assess if people qualify for a wide range of benefits, discounts and services and help them complete claim forms and send them to the correct office on their behalf.

  Housing Benefits, Bolton Council, P.O. Box 4, Bolton BL1 1RX
  01204 331901

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills you may be able to get support to reduce your bills, apply for a warm home discount, or access other grants. You may also me able to get support in making your home more energy efficient which will reduce your bills.

Who can help?

Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice for all. Offering specialist services in benefits, community care, debt, energy, housing and money advice.

  1 Victoria Plaza, Oxford Street, Bolton BL1 1RD
  Drop in Thursday 10am - 3pm
  0808 278 7804 (freephone adviceline) Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm
  0800 144 8444 (universal credit support) Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm

Bolton's Money Skills
Provides one to one support to help people get their finances under control. Help on issues including high energy costs, budgeting guidance, dealing with debts and a switching services to save money on utility bills.

  Ground Floor, Bolton Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RU
  01204 332916 (money/debt advice)
  01204 331968 (money skills training)

Starts with you
Provides energy advice to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.


Age UK Bolton
Advice to over 50's on all benefits issues including form filling, challenges and appeals, housing options,community and social care and a range of other issues.

  The Square, 53-55 Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1RZ
  Drop in Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm
  01204 382411 Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm