The latest Resident Voice Index™ report, ‘Surviving but not living’ is out, giving results from the Cost of Living survey that many of you answered between March and May this year. Results showed that 33% would not know where to get financial support from if they were to experience a financial struggle – a situation that unfortunately, many these days are finding themselves in. However, many of the answers from residents, gave suggestions of where people could go for help on money matters.
We’ve put together the most popular answers from over 5,200 survey takers of sources of financial support, which we hope you will find useful.
Top 5 sources of support
Running since 1939, this independent advice organisation offers free and confidential help and support on issues such as debt, housing and workers’ rights.
2. Housing provider or local authority
Of course, each housing provider is different, but most have dedicated income teams or money advice programs. It’s worth reaching out to your landlord in the event of a financial struggle – many will be able to offer tailored support. In fact, some of the individual suggestions listed below include schemes from housing providers.
3. Friends and family
4. Welfare support
It is estimated that over £15 billion of benefits are being left unclaimed by households in the UK. For many, this could mean that there is help available that they might not know they’re entitled to. Check out what you might be entitled to here.
5. StepChange
This charity offers free expert debt advice and money guidance. They give recommendations for the best course of action for a particular circumstance and offer long-term support whilst the issues are being tackled.
Alongside the top 5, there were more specialised suggestions offered by survey takers for places to seek financial help and support in times of need.
National Suggestions
This benefits calculator can help users see whether they are eligible for any benefits, grants or funds that may alleviate financial hardship.
Shelter offers housing-specific advice, free for anyone in need.
The UK’s most popular source of financial tips and tricks came up a lot in survey takers’ answers.
Free advice for older adults and those who care for them. Age UK have a free helpline: 0800 678 1602 and there are local advice centres up and down the UK.
This organisation offers care services and emergency support to older adults.
Survey takers suggested joining a trade union as the cost of living bites at the wellbeing and incomes of households. Collective action performed by unions may help protect and improve the lives of members and workers’ rights on the whole.
Salvation Army Employment Plus
This charity helps individuals find secure employment by offering free advice and support, as well as six-month paid work placements to young people.
Regional suggestions
Melton and District Money Advice Centre
This organisation offers financial advice for residents of Melton Mowbray
An organisation in North East Lincolnshire offering a range of support and social care.
Northfield Community Partnership
A charity serving people in South West Birmingham, they offer a wide range of services to local residents.
Free legal advice from an organisation based in London, specialising in housing, benefits and debt support.
Free welfare and debt advice for residents of North London.
A drop-in centre working in South Wigston, Leicester offering debt and employment advice to local residents.
Irish Centres
A number of survey takers suggested Irish Centres as a source of help and support. There are hundreds of local Irish Centres up and down the UK – a quick search online will show you your closest one.
Credit unions are co-operative banking alternatives that offer low or no interest loans and savings accounts with high interest for users.
We hope that if you were facing a financial struggle, within this list of suggestions from those that took the Cost of Living survey you’re able to find some support. If you’d like to read the ‘Surviving but not living’ report, you can find it here.
The HomeSwapper Customer Support team are always on hand to give advice and tips on how to get the most from HomeSwapper. They deal with Swappers every day and have a unique insight and view on the thousands of successful swaps that take place on HomeSwapper.
