Author: WORKSTATION_4

Home-Start
Wyre Forest
www.home-startsouthleics.org.uk

Financial 1st Aid—First steps to recovery

Practical help and useful contacts for those experiencing a financial crisis and/or fuel poverty

If you feel like you can’t cope with your situation and nothing will get better, you may need expert help to get back on track.
The Worcestershire NHS urgent mental health helpline is for people of all ages, and for concerned friends and family. Call 0800 196 9127 any time, any day.
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line
Your GP surgery can link you up with a Social Prescriber team member who can give you one to one support.

What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy
“Help,” said the horse
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

For more information about the development of this leaflet please contact:
info@homestratwyreforest.org.uk
www.homestartwyreforest.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1120436
Company Limited By Guarantee. Registered in England & Wales. Company No 5299096
Funded by National Grid Electricity Distribution – Community Matters Fund

Financial 1st Aid—A 4 Step Process

Step 1
Identify Priority Debts

These are debts which will have the most significant Iimpact if they are not paid:
**An urgent response is needed to avoid any court action**
Tell the whoever is helping you so they can act quickly

Priority Debts	Non-priority debts
Mortgage payments	Credit card and Store card payments
Secured loans	Bank Loans
Rent	Overdrafts
Council Tax	Catalogue Repayments
Utility Bills (not water)	Home-collected credit (e.g. Provident Loan)
Court Fines	Money borrowed from family/friends
Taxes	Water Bills

Step 2
Maximise Income

Are you getting all the welfare benefits you are entitled to for your situation?
Get an appointment with one of the expert agencies listed in Step 4 or use the benefits calculators on-line
Have you applied for any emergency funds available?
Check the websites listed in Step 4, or make an appointment with an expert
Are there any Charitable Trusts you can apply to for grant support?
Depending on where you live, the type of work you do or did, and your circumstances now there may be charities you can apply to, or get an expert agency to apply to on your behalf.
Energy companies and water companies have their own hardship funds—ask the ones you use for information.

If you are pregnant or have young children do you know what extra help you can get?
Ask your health visitor about Healthy Start/Best Start Vouchers
Ask your school about Free School Meals

Step 3
Create a Budget Plan

A budget gives you a clear picture of both your incoming money and your outgoing expenses.
You can choose weekly or monthly budgeting, but remember to include a share of costs that are only paid once a year.
You should aim to make sure your regular expenses are the same or less than your income.
Working this out before going to an expert agency for help can really speed things along with them.
Your budget will change over time—it’s best to use a system that let’s you update regularly.
Cost Saving Ideas:
Use energy saving measures to help cut fuel bills
Compare better deals/prices from elsewhere for regular costs
Buy good quality pre-loved items instead of new ones

Step 4
Get Expert Help—Wyre Forest district

Face to Face appointments:
Wyre Forest District Council: 01562 732928 or email: financialsupport@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Wyre Forest CAB: freephone 0808 278 7891, text call back: 0743 4613625
Two Pennies Money Advice: 01905 27001, email: adviser@twopennies.org.uk

Continued

Step 4
Get Expert Help—

Online/Telephone:
Turn2Us (Benefits calculator and grant search) https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
Step Change (Debt Management) https://www.stepchange.org/
Help through Hardship (Trussell Trust) Tel: 0808 2082138
Christians against Poverty (Debt and Money Advice) https://capuk.org/get-help
Age UK warm and wise (50+) https://www.ageuk.org.uk/leics/our-services/support-in-the-community/warm-and-wise/
County Council Support:
Wyre Forest District Council www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Fuel Poverty Help

Fuel Bank Foundation www.fuelbankfoundation.org
NEA National Energy Advice. Tel: 08003047159
Energy Saving Trust Tel: 0800444202 www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
British Gas Energy Trust Tel: 01162519068
Ofgem.gov.uk
Www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency
Centre for sustainable Energy—www.cse.org.uk