Are you worried about money?

support

Money issues can affect anyone, whether you’re in employment or receiving benefits. If you're having difficulties, we’re here to help.

If you’re having difficulty paying your rent or your circumstances change, please get in touch with us as soon as possible, as we can help.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the links below, or need further assistance, please talk to your Housing Officer who can help you get the support you need.

  • How can we help?

    Your housing officer can provide guidance to help you reduce your debts and manage your money.

    They can also make sure that you get in touch with the right people to help you.

    They can refer you to free support services that can give you individual, specialised support.
    It's important to get any money and debt issues under control as soon as possible, if you’d like to speak to us accessing support, please get in touch.

  • Free support services

    There are also lots of free services available online and in your community.

    You’ll find lots of links below to a range of support agencies, tools and information to help you manage your money and make sure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to.

Support services in Leicestershire

  • Household Support Fund - to 31 March 2024

    The Household Support Fund (HSF) provides financial support to help vulnerable households who are struggling to afford the essentials and have no other access to funds.

    How to apply for the fund:

    • The fund opens in October 2023, and is available until 31 March 2024.
    • You will need a referral from a professional support worker or agency - see their website for more details.
    • Find out more and apply on the County Council's website

    Leicestershire County Council

National support

Support with housing and energy bills

  • Energy benefits and discounts

    There are lots of national and local benefits and grants available to help you manage your energy costs.

    Find out more about what you may be entitled to.

  • Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)

    Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.

    They are issued through your local council and each council decides how their application process will work (see links to each Council's relevant webpage below).

    They are a top-up to Housing Benefit or the Housing Element within your Universal Credit award, and are available if the Council considers that someone needs extra help with their housing costs.

    DHPs are only available as short-term assistance, not a long-term solution. They are discretionary awards and do not form part of your benefit entitlement. Please be aware the council's have a limited fund for these payments, and they are often only paid in exceptional circumstances.

    Could you be eligible?

    You may be able to apply for a DHP if you currently claim either:

    • Housing Benefit, or
    • the housing element of Universal Credit
    • AND need more financial support with housing costs.

    You may get a DHP to cover housing costs for:

    • a rent shortfall
    • rent deposits
    • rent in advance if you need to move home

    DHPs cannot cover council tax, even if you get Local Council Tax Support, however see the section below 'Council tax reduction' for support.

    How to apply

    You'll need to apply through your local council:

    • Blaby District Council: www.blaby.gov.uk
    • Charnwood Borough Council: www.charnwood.gov.uk
    • Harborough District Council: www.harborough.gov.uk
    • Melton Borough Council: www.melton.gov.uk
    • North West Leicestershire District Council: www.nwleics.gov.uk
    • Rushcliffe Borough Council: www.rushcliffe.gov.uk

    Help with application forms

    If you need any help completing application forms, please get in touch with your housing officer who will be able to support you on 0300 1234 009 or at enquiries@midlandsrural.org.uk

  • Council tax support

    If you’re on a low income or claiming benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction or other support paying your council tax bill.

    Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply on your local council's website:

    • Blaby District Council: www.blaby.gov.uk
    • Charnwood Borough Council: www.charnwood.gov.uk
    • Harborough District Council: www.harborough.gov.uk
    • Melton Borough Council: www.melton.gov.uk
    • North West Leicestershire District Council: www.nwleics.gov.uk
    • Rushcliffe Borough Council: www.rushcliffe.gov.uk

    Help with application forms

    If you need any help completing application forms, please get in touch with your housing officer who will be able to support you on 0300 1234 009 or at enquiries@midlandsrural.org.uk

  • Universal credit and other benefits

Online debt and money management tools

Financial support for older people

  • Age UK

    Age UK offer information and advice through a free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.

    They can help with:

    • benefits
    • retirement
    • wellbeing
    • money issues.

    Find out more on the Age UK website or call on 0800 678 1602

You may also find the following pages helpful:

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0300 1234 009 and ask to speak to a member of the housing management team.