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Money worries and the cost of living

Worried about money? You’re not alone. With the cost of living rising, many of us are feeling the financial pressure to stay on top of everything. Find out how we can help and what support is available to you from other organisations.

How we can help you

Whether you're a mortgage or savings customer, you might find the below links useful:

Let us know how we can help

Tell us about your personal circumstances and what support you need when managing your money via our online form and we will do what we can to help.

Request additional support

Check you're getting everything you're entitled to

Government cost of living payments
The government backed MoneyHelper website lists everything you need to know about the government’s cost of living support payments. Visit moneyhelper.org.uk to find out more.


Help from your local council
As well as help with your Council Tax Bills, your local council may be able to help you pay for your energy and water bills, food and other essential items such as, clothes or an oven. This help is known as 'welfare assistance' or the ‘Household Support Fund’. You can find out how to contact your local council on gov.uk


Benefits and charitable grants
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other support services. Visit turn2us.org.uk to find out more or call 0808 802 2000.


Pension Credit
Many people who are entitled to Pension Credit aren’t claiming it. For information and advice, or to make a claim if you are over state pension age, phone the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469 or visit gov.uk/pension-credit


Organisations that can help

As well as speaking to us, you can reach out to the below organisations who offer free information and advice:

MoneyHelper

Phone: 0800 138 7777
Web: moneyhelper.org.uk/en

National Debtline

Phone: 0808 808 4000
Web: nationaldebtline.org

Business Debtline

Phone: 0800 197 6026
Web: businessdebtline.org

PayPlan

Phone: 0800 280 2816
Web: payplan.com

Shelter

Phone: 0808 800 4444
Web: shelter.org.uk

Citizens Advice

Phone: Call your local advice centre
Web: citizensadvice.org.uk

StepChange Debt Charity

Phone: 0800 138 1111
Web: stepchange.org

The Samaritans

Phone: 116 123
Web: samaritans.org


Helpful resources and tools

From the Building Societies Association and National Debtline
What to do if you can't pay your mortgage.

From the Financial Conduct Authority
Consumers struggling with rising prices urged to seek help
Dealing with the financial impact of rising costs of living

From MoneyHelper
Managing your money in uncertain times
Money Navigator Tool
How to prioritise your debts
Debt Advice Locator

From PayPlan
BudgetSmart

Budgetsmart with PayPlan

Free support to help you handle your costs.

We’ve partnered with PayPlan to provide further assistance to you if you are worried about your debt repayments. PayPlan have a Budget Smart tool – this allows you to select an area you feel that you may struggle – for example car costs, energy bills, rent, mortgage, amongst others. This free effective tool has already helped hundreds of thousands of people.

 
 
Find Out More

Beware of cost of living scams

Scammers are using the cost of living crisis to trick people into sharing their personal and financial details. Please be vigilant about any calls, texts and emails you receive that claim to be from financial services organisations.

Also watch out for:

  • Texts or emails claiming to come from "Gov.org" or DWP, asking you to claim or apply for cost of living help - if you are eligible, you'll automatically receive the money straight into your bank account. There is no need to apply.
  • Calls regarding the £150 council tax rebate – in most cases, the rebate is paid automatically to those who pay their council tax by direct debit and most have by now received their payment. For those who don't pay by direct debit, most councils are collecting bank details using secure online forms.
  • Texts regarding a £400 energy rebate from Ofgem - this is NOT true. In May, it was announced that all households with an electricity supply would receive a £400 grant. However, this will be paid in lump sums from October automatically – there's no need to apply.

More about protecting yourself from fraud

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